Would not be challenging the ban: Steve Smith

Steve Smith confirmed that he accepts Cricket Australia’s 12-month ban from international and domestic cricket for the ball-tampering scandal. Former Australia Captain took to Twitter to confirm that he accepts the sanctions.

I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country. But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as Captain of the team. I won’t be challenging the sanctions. They’ve been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them.

— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) April 4, 2018

Cricket Australia has asked Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to confirm their stance by the end of Thursday ahead for the possible hearings on April 11.

All three cricketers have sought legal advice on whether to challenge their bans. Bancroft is also likely to accept his 9-month ban, while Warner appears the most likely to challenge his 12-month sanction and lifetime leadership ban.

Earlier, Cricket Australia had made it clear that their sanctions are for conduct breaches – “contrary to the spirit of the game“, “unbecoming of a representative“, that “could be harmful to the interests of cricket and/or … brought the game of cricket into disrepute” – and not ball-tampering.

According to the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct, the maximum punishment for ball tampering is a one-Test ban.

Related Ball-Tampering: Cricket’s Hall of Shame