Players’ association calls for inquiry into Cricket Australia

David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft could risk longer bans by challenging the Cricket Australia rulings.

David Warner breaks down during his Sydney press conference. Picture: Richard Dobson

The players’ association is ­demanding an inquiry into ­Cricket Australia and its role in presiding over a culture in the men’s team which led to the ball-tampering fiasco in South Africa.

There are also concerns from the Australian Cricketers’ Association president Greg Dyer about the integrity of the 24-hour investigation which resulted in bans for Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

The concerns have been ­expressed ahead of the Thursday deadline for the banned players to reveal whether they will appeal their punishments.

“Justice which is rushed can sometimes be flawed, so let’s consider the relativity, let’s make sure we get perspective and proportionality into this conversation, and I think a little bit of time to allow that to occur has probably given us all a slightly different perspective on the events in Cape Town,” Dyer said.

A full review of the culture of Cricket Australia was required, Dyer told the ABC.

“There’s a short stepladder ­between the change room and the boardroom,” he said.

“We need to examine all the steps on that stepladder, as well as what went on in the change room in South Africa.”

Peter Schofield, who coached Smith as a junior, said Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland should answer questions.

“I think James Sutherland and the people running Australian cricket are equally responsible,” Mr Schofield told the ABC. “They have let the whole lot go ­completely out of control.”

Cameron Bancroft, escorted by police officers to the departure area at OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg. Picture: AP

Warner is considered most likely to appeal but he could be given a longer ban from the game if he challenges his 12-month ­suspension proposed by Cricket Australia for conspiring to cheat in the Cape Town Test.

Warner, Smith and Bancroft each have until 5pm on Thursday to notify Cricket Australia whether they will accept the penalties announced last week or request a hearing of their cases. Warner’s manager, James Henderson, said the former vice-captain had not made a decision.

The Australian understands that, in the event of a hearing, the commissioner appointed to hear the case would have discretion to impose any penalty within the range stipulated for the offence by the Cricket Australia code of ­conduct. For a first offence, this ­includes anything from one match to a lifetime ban.

A Cricket Australia spokesman confirmed that any player who ­requests a hearing could end up with a more severe penalty. “Yes, in theory the commissions can ­impose higher or lower sanctions as a result of the hearing,’’ the spokesman said.

The hearing is intended to be informal and expeditious. The players are entitled to legal representation, can cross-examine any witnesses and call their own, including players in South Africa via either phone or video link.

At the end of the hearing, the commissioner has 48 hours to ­deliberate and hand down a ­decision. That decision can be ­appealed to a second hearing ­before another code of conduct commissioner. If the players fail to respond by Thursday’s deadline, a hearing will be held in their absence. Smith’s management could not be reached for comment. Ben Tippett of Stride Management said Bancroft had spent the weekend with family and would meet advisers today. Bancroft was provisionally suspended for nine months, and Smith and Warner a year.