Curtly Ambrose says one-year bans for Steve Smith, David Warner should’ve been doubled

Sir Curtly Ambrose has sensationally claimed that Steve Smith and David Warner “got away with murder” for their roles in Sandpaper Gate — and if he had his way they would still be banned.

Steve Smith (L) and David Warner could maybe have been sitting out longer.

Cricket legend Sir Curtly Ambrose has sensationally claimed that Steve Smith and David Warner “got away with murder” for their roles in Sandpaper Gate, suggesting instead that they should each have been banned for two years to “send a message” for their “stupid” actions.

The one-year bans for Smith and Warner ended less than two weeks ago, and the pair are hoping to win selection in Australia’s World Cup squad when its announced in the coming days.

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However, if Ambrose had his way they would be both be banned for a further year for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year that rocked cricket in Australia.

“You do not want to deprive professionals doing something that they love,” Ambrose said on Wednesday night on Bill and Boz.

“But when you break the law like that you should be punished and I honestly thought they got away with murder. I think a year was a little bit (lenient). I would have said two years — just to send a message because it was stupid really.”

David Warner (R) and Steve Smith in South Africa just before the scandal broke.

Ambrose did go on to say that he thought the pair were contrite for their actions, adding he hoped Smith and Warner would be picked to play in the World Cup in England later this year.

“I believe they will never do it again,” Ambrose said. “They’ve served their one-year term and I just hope that of Australia support them and I hope that they go to the World Cup because they’ll make the team stronger.”

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Sir Curtley Ambrose says David Warner and Steve Smith 'got away with murder'.

Ambrose, a fearsome fast bowler who took 405 wickets in 98 Tests from 1988 to 2000 at a stunning average of 20.99, expressed shock that Australia was involved in such a scandal.

“I was totally surprised because having played against great Australian teams before nothing like that has ever happened before,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. Especially in today’s world. Thirty years ago, maybe you would have gotten away with it, even though it’s wrong! But with all the cameras around now, everything you do (is captured).

“So I couldn’t understand why they even attempted it. And it was really sad. It was really a dark day for Australian cricket. Because what I know, Australians are not like that. They’re very competitive, play hard cricket without breaking the rules.

“So I was quite surprised when that happened.”