Apr 3rd, 2018

Apr 3rd, 2018

Former Australian captain Steve Smith could pick up the pieces of his career in English County cricket as he begins his long road back to the national team.

The Daily Telegraph has reported Smith could return to playing as early as this month as he looks to put the ugly ball tampering scandal behind him.

MORE

» Ball tampering crisis full coverage

» Aussies roll to record defeat

» Warne calls for mass cull after loss

Smith and former Aussie vice-captain David Warner were suspended for 12 months, while Cameron Bancroft received a 9-month ban, for their roles in using sandpaper on the ball in the third Test against South Africa at Cape Town.

The ban from Cricket Australia extends to international and domestic cricket, although the trio were still permitted to still play grade cricket at home. It is believed that Cricket Australia would not stand in Smith’s way if he turned out for a county team, with the competition to start on April 13.

Steve Smith apologises

The English Cricket Board would need to approve any move to sign Smith, but he has been linked to England at the start of his career as his mother was born in London and he holds an English passport.

The Daily Telegraph also reported that Warner and Bancroft could pursue opportunities in England, although the latter lost his deal with Somerset over the ball tampering scandal.

Smith and Warner also lost lucrative deals with the IPL, while all three players had personal sponsors desert them as the fallout continued.

The players have until April 11 to decide if they will fight their bans, with speculation that Warner is the player most likely to challenge the severity of his punishment.

Tubby was close to tears over dumping Smith

Australian Cricketers Association president Greg Dyer held a press conference on Tuesday and said the bans dished out to the players were ‘disproportionate.’

The International Cricket Council dealt with the matter before Cricket Australia came in over the top, with Smith receiving only a one-match ban and Bancroft escaping with demerit points.

“Justice which is rushed can sometimes be flawed therefore the players have every right to consider their position, take appropriate advice and the necessary time in doing so,” Dyer said.

“Of the dozen or so matters of this type (ball-tampering), the most severe suspension to date has been a ban for two one-day internationals. The most expensive fine has been 100 percent of a match fee.

ACA call out ‘disproportionate’ CA bans

“The informed conclusion is that as right as the motivation is, the proposed penalties are disproportionate relative to precedent. The grading and sanctions proposed were significantly higher than that applied by the ICC following the game.

“The contrition shown by these men is extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary. Their distressed faces have sent a message across the world as effective as any sanction could ever be.

“We ask that consideration be given to recalibrating the proposed sanction, to consider options such as suspending or reducing part of the sanctions.”