Mercury (Hobart)

Corruption code slip outs ‘Canes keeper

- ADAM SMITH

TASMANIAN and Hobart Hurricanes keeper Emily Smith has been slapped with a one-year suspension from all forms of cricket for breaching the anti-corruption code.

Smith, who returned home this season after two years in Western Australia, will serve three months of the ban — making her ineligible for the remainder of the WBBL and WNCL campaigns — after having nine months of her sanction suspended. The 24year-old was charged with breaching Article 2.3.2 of Cricket Australia’s anti-corruption code during the washed out Big Bash match between the Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder earlier this month.

Smith posted Hobart’s team line-up on her personal Instagram page around an hour before the official scheduled release on November 2, with the contest officially abandoned due to rain.

However Article 2.3.2 of CA’s anti-corruption code prohibits: “disclosing inside informatio­n to any person (with or without reward) where the participan­t knew or might reasonably have known that such disclosure might lead to the informatio­n being used in relation to betting in relation to any match or event.”

CA head of integrity and security Sean Carroll said although the governing body accepted there was no intent to breach the code at the time, all players must be accountabl­e for their actions.

“CA’s rigorous anti-corruption player education program means that players are well aware of their obligation­s under the anti-corruption code and there is no excuse for breaches regardless of the reasons for informatio­n being disclosed,” Carroll said.

“Since the commenceme­nt of the WBBL, Cricket Australia has had in place a robust anticorrup­tion program.

“We have been working with Emily throughout the process and Emily now understand­s the mistake she made.

“Unfortunat­ely, in this instance Emily’s actions breached the anti-corruption code. We hope this serves as reminder to all that the anti-corruption code is critical to protecting the integrity of the game.”

Young Tigers back-up wicket keeper Emma MannixGeev­es has been brought into the Hurricanes WBBL squad for the remainder of the season under a special exemption.

Hobart faces the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval tomorrow.

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