'Harsh or Fair': Twitter debates as Smith, Warner and Bancroft receive bans for ball-tampering

Former Australian skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner have reportedly been handed a 12-month suspension by Cricket Australia (CA) for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that took place during the third Test of the ongoing four-match series against South Africa in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft, the third member found guilty in Cricket Australia's internal investigation and the player who actually tampered with the ball, has been imposed a suspension of nine months, cricket.com.au reported.

Cricket Australia, however, is expected to officially confirm the announcement of their penalties later on Wednesday.

BCCI too barred Steve Smith and David Warner from taking part in this year's IPL. The duo will also not allowed to captain Australia for two years meaning Australia will have a new captain for the 2019 World Cup. 

Many fans and experts thought that the quantum of ban was little too harsh:

I must admit 12 months is a very harsh ban. 6 months I thought was right but clearly this reflects the uproar in Australia. It means they miss the India series and have little time to get ready for the World Cup

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2018

A 12 month ban for Steve Smith is absurdly harsh. If only he'd rorted the tax system of did some insider trading, he'd be fine

— Stephen Koukoulas (@TheKouk) March 28, 2018

12 months ban is very harsh and insane. No one ever missed more than two matches due to ball tampering and there are players - Faf and Akhtar- who have been caught tampering twice. #BallTamperingRow

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) March 28, 2018

I love gloating and feeling morally superior as much as the next man. But a year's ban from cricket for ball-tampering is a bit ridiculous

— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) March 28, 2018

Steve Smith I think is a good guy who made a huge mistake ... He needed punishing but I think this is too harsh ... Bancroft who I don’t know was led astray but deserved punishing but again too harshly IMO ... The other guy I really don’t care about ...

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 28, 2018

While some believed that the punishment was fair:

The sooner people realise that Smith’s ban is not about ball-tampering but letting down his country by cheating the better our chances of moving on. #BallTamperingRow #Steve Smith

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) March 28, 2018

Fair bans delivered to Smith, Warner and Bancroft. Definitely deserved a ban for what they did. Hopefully the Australia team can recover over this disgusting unsportsmanlike behaviour... #DavidWarner #BallTamperingRow #CricketAustralia #AussieCheats #cricketcrisis

— Michael Attaliotis (@MAttaliotis95) March 28, 2018

Media: Steve Smith deserves a life ban

CA: Steve Smith gets a 12 month ban

Media: Wow, I feel sorry for Smith

— Nathan Glennie (@Glendog207) March 28, 2018