- Title: South Africa captain Du Plessis believes Smith ban is 'harsh'
- Date: 29th March 2018
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (MARCH 29, 2018) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET PLAYERS TRAINING AHEAD OF THEIR FOURTH TEST AGAINST AUSTRALIA MEDIA GATHERED AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET PRESS BRIEFING VARIOUS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, FAF DU PLESSIS SPEAKING TO MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING A PICTURE (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, FAF DU PL
- Embargoed: 12th April 2018 13:30
- Keywords: Du Plessis Cricket Australia ball tampering Steve Smith
- Location: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- City: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Cricket,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001891NOE7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis expressed his compassion on Thursday (March 29) for former Australia captain Steve Smith who was suspended by Cricket Australia.
Du Plessis, speaking in Johannesburg on the eve of the fourth and final test of the dramatic tour, said he felt the 12-month ban imposed on Smith was 'harsh'.
While the South African skipper believes the bans imposed on Smith, Warner and Bancroft are severe, he welcomed the announcement by the International Cricket Council saying there would be a review of the ICC code of conduct and penalties.
A Cricket Australia investigation said Smith had only been aware of the scheme with vice-captain David Warner and junior batsman Cameroon Bancroft guilty of conspiring to cheat by buffing one side of the ball with sandpaper in the third test against South Africa.
Smith and Warner have been handed 12-month bans with Bancroft receiving a nine month ban for an attempt to tamper with the ball during the third test in Cape Town last Saturday (March 24).
Smith broke down in tears repeatedly on Thursday as he apologised for his part in the ball-tampering scandal which has rocked Australia.
South Africa currently lead the Test series 2-1. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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