Hobart Hurricanes rocked on eve of clash against Sydney following Anti-Corruption Code breach

A decision to post a picture on her personal Instagram account will see a Hobart Hurricanes player miss the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

Hurricanes keeper Emily Smith has been handed a 12-month ban for breaching the game’s Anti-Corruption Code. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

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 following 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 24-year-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 about an hour before the official scheduled release on November 2, with the contest officially abandoned due to constant 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”.

Emily Smith cuts the ball during a WBBL match against the Sydney Sixers last week. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

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 anti-corruption 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 Mannix-Geeves has been brought into the Hurricanes’ WBBL squad for the remainder of the season under a special exemption.

Hobart faces the Sydney Sixers in Sydney on Wednesday.