A STORMY YEAR FOR SMITH & Co

MARCH 2017 In the second Test against India, Smith was given out lbw and looked to the away dressing room for advice on whether to review — against the rules of cricket. Smith admitted to a ‘brain fade’, but India skipper Virat Kohli claimed to have seen his opposite number do this on numerous occasions.

MAY-AUGUST 2017 Players threatened to strike over a new payment model proposed by Cricket Australia. After they rejected the new terms, CA threatened to stop paying them but a new deal was reached.

NOVEMBER 2017 Players were accused of crossing the line with personal sledging of Jonny Bairstow in the first Ashes Test, during which news emerged of a ‘head-butt’ incident between Bairstow and Cameron Bancroft in a Perth bar early in the tour.

MARCH 2018 During their first Test against South Africa in Durban, footage emerged of David Warner and Quinton de Kock involved in a heated row near the dressing rooms. Both players were fined and Warner alleged De Kock made a ‘vile and disgusting’ comment about his wife.

MARCH 2018 Bancroft is caught ball-tampering in the third Test in South Africa. Smith admits to knowledge of the plan and he, Bancroft and Warner are all banned.