CHEATING Steve Smith could be banned for a YEAR for his part in the Australian ball-tampering scandal.
The Aussie captain yesterday stepped down as skipper of IPL side Rajasthan Royals — where Ben Stokes also plays — and could lose his £1.3million deal altogether.
Cricket Australia began their probe after Smith confessed he was aware Oz team-mate Cameron Bancroft intentionally scuffed up the ball in the Third Test in South Africa. Smith, who stood down from leading the side in Cape Town after the explosive revelations, is expected to be permanently sacked as skipper.
He has been banned by the ICC from the Fourth Test in Johannesburg, which starts on Friday.
Aussie cricket chiefs are under pressure to hand down severe punishments to Smith and his vice-captain David Warner — and suspensions of up to 12 months could now follow.
Verdicts are likely to be handed down within the next 24 hours.
A lengthy ban would mean Smith misses Australia’s five one-day internationals in England this summer.
Opening batsman Bancroft, who used tape and grit to try to alter the condition of the ball, will probably be dealt with more leniently.
BAN HIM Australia may also have cheated in The Ashes against England as Cameron Bancroft was spotted appearing to pour sugar into pocket
Ex-England skipper Nasser Hussain says it is unlikely Australia’s under-fire head coach Darren Lehmann was unaware of the plot.
He said: “If he did know, then he’s in a whole heap of trouble and will not be able to hold down his job if he is condoning cheating.
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“If he didn’t know, questions will be asked as to why senior players are going round not telling the coach exactly what is going on.
“In the dressing rooms I’ve played in, it is inconceivable the coach wouldn’t know something like this was being dreamt up.”
The MCC, guardians of the laws of the game and the spirit of cricket, urged governing bodies to be more assertive with on-field conduct.
MCC assistant secretary John Stephenson said: “Those with responsibility for leadership must give young players the kind of role models who will uphold standards and preserve cricket.”
England skipper Joe Root added: “Captains are responsible for the way everyone else behaves.
“You want to give everything on the field and do everything to win — but you must do it in the right way.”
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