JOHANNESBURG: Australian captain Steve Smith has been banned from Johannesburg Test, while batsmen Cameron Bancroft has been given three demerit points over ball-tampering during a 5-day fixture against South Africa on Saturday.
Steve Smith was banned from playing the fourth Test against South Africa at Johannesburg after he was charged of tampering the ball and due to ‘conduct against the spirit of the game’.
International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive David Richardson also fined the Australian skipper 100 percent of his match-fee, while handed him four demerit points.
Earlier, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced that they are probing into the matter. It was also confirmed that Smith had stepped down as the captain for the remainder of the third Test, while vice-captain David Warner had also withdrawn.
Opener Cameron Bancroft was given three demerit points and handed a 75 percent match-fee for tampering the ball on day three of the Test against the Proteas.