LEGAL FIGHT
Players’ union challenges severity of tamper bans
THE prospect of a judicial stoush over the bans meted out by Cricket Australia in response to the cheating scandal looms large, with the players’ union highly critical of the process and punishments.
“There are a number of glaring and clear anomalies in the process to date [that] causes the ACA to query the severity and proportionality of the proposed sanctions,” the ACA said yesterday in a statement.
The ACA noted that the grading and sanctions for the players were well above what the ICC had implemented, that the bans were not reasonable on a world scale and that CA’s board shouldn’t have been the “deliberative body on the proposed sanctions”.
Steve Smith and David Warner have both been banned for 12 months by CA, which has also stripped the captain and vice-captain of their leadership positions. Cameron Bancroft, who CA claims carried out an illegal plan to scuff the ball with sandpaper after being instructed and advised by Warner, was give a nine-month ban.
Smith, Warner and Bancroft have seven days to respond to the charges.
They can contest either the charge and/or sanctions at a hearing. None of the three players has formally accepted his charges at this point.
Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson has been on deck in both Cape Town and Johannesburg during recent days, advising and supporting the three disgraced players.
Warner in particular is believed to be strongly considering the merits of a challenge, having been accused of being the architect of the ball tampering ploy that plunged CA into crisis mode on Saturday.
The ACA said it was also unhappy with the “rush to place players before the world’s media last Saturday night without the benefit of considered and coherent advice”.
DARREN Lehmann quit as Australian cricket coach late last night in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the sport.
Lehmann, who took over as coach of the side in 2013, announced his intentions to stand down at a press conference in Johannesburg.
The tearful former Australian batsman said the Test starting tonight would be his last in charge.
West Australian Justin Langer is expected to replace him.
Lehmann struggled to keep his composure. But that was nothing compared with the emotional scenes behind closed doors, when he told players he would be quitting.
“Speaking to the players and saying goodbye, telling them the news. That was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Lehmann said. “Watching those two young men [Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft break down in tears] ... it’s been unbelievable.”
Lehmann had earlier expressed concern for the wellbeing of banned players Smith, David Warner and Bancroft, pleading for them to be given “a second chance” by the public.
A staunch backer of his players’ aggressive “headbutting the line” style, Lehmann’s remorseful public showing yesterday was a stark contrast.
Lehmann said Australia must change and cited New Zealand as an example Australia must copy.
“We need to change how we play and within the boundaries we play. Obviously previously we’ve butted heads on the line but that’s not the way to go about us playing cricket moving forward. We need to take a leaf out of New Zealand’s book.”
Lehmann was confident Smith and company would return as better people. “They are hurting. I feel for them and their families. I hope that in all this the media and the fans don’t forget that,’’ he said. “There is a human side to this. They have made a mistake, as everyone — including myself — has made mistakes in the past. These are young men and I hope people will give them a second chance.”