CRICKET pundits and fans have displayed a mixed reaction to news Steve Smith and David Warner will be slapped with historic 12-month bans from the game, with Cameron Bancroft to serve nine months off.

On Wednesday, Cricket Australia handed down the punishment that will also see Warner and Smith banned from leading Australia for the next two years. Coach Darren Lehmann has escaped sanctions and is said to have been unaware of the plot to tamper with the ball.

Shane Warne said the “jump to hysteria” means the “punishment just might not fit the crime”.

“There are those countries that don’t like Australia, don’t like individuals in the team, and there has been a build up of hate which has exploded and created this tornado of hysteria,” he wrote in a column for News Corp Australia.

“But what are the players guilty of? Cheating via ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute. Their opposing captain in this series, South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, has been charged with ball-tampering twice, and opening bowler Vernon Philander once. The list of players who have been charged with ball tampering is long and contains some of the biggest names in the game, like Sachin Tendulkar and Mike Atherton.”

He said he is “still trying to wrestle” with what the punishment should be, but suggested missing the fourth match, a “huge fine” and to be sacked from their leadership roles while still being allowed to play.

Veteran cricket commentator Jim Maxwell told ABC radio Smith was “really suffering” from the public outcry.

“I was on the plane yesterday with the Australian team and I just wanted to have a word to him, but I could see he was so shattered over it, that he didn’t want to be talking to anyone, understandably,” he said. “In the more immediate sense I worry for Steve Smith’s psychological state.”

What happened in South Africa is incredibly sad on so many levels but what appears clear in my view is the punishment certainly doesn’t fit the crime! — Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 28, 2018

But Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar backed the move to protect the game’s integrity. “Cricket has been known as a gentleman’s game. It’s a game that I believe should be played in the purest form. Whatever has happened is unfortunate but the right decision has been taken to uphold the integrity of the game. Winning is important but the way you win is more important,” Tendulkar tweeted.

English cricket expert David Lloyd also said the punishment was “justified”. The Australian’s Jacquelin Magnay also suggested the punishment did not go far enough saying: “Seriously, a two-year captaincy ban on both Smith and Warner? Cricket Australia has dropped the ball here. Neither player can have any leadership roles in future, they have no credibility or integrity.”

Fans also took to social media to vent a range of views on the issue with many saying the ban was too harsh.

A 12 month ban for Steve Smith and David Warner, if reports are true, is beyond ridiculous. — Matthew Taylor (@MattyA_Taylor) March 27, 2018

The reaction to the ball tampering scandal is getting a little out of control. Terrible mistake but it’s not a hanging offence. Steve Smith will cop a fair whack but deserves the chance to win the trust back. He didn’t throw a game, take drugs or kill anyone — Julian de Stoop (@JDESTOOP80_FOX) March 27, 2018

If 12 mnths ban is not revoked,then #SteveSmith and #DavidWarner are set to miss home series against #India later this yr. #SandpaperGate #Cheating. A good disciplinary action taken by @CricketAus. Hope it will hv good impact on Aussie youngsters. — Sushans Aher (@SushansAher) March 28, 2018

If the rumours of a 12-month ban for Smith & Warner are accurate then they stand to lose millions when you factor in their IPL contracts. Surely that’s harsh enough. — Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) March 28, 2018

Good job that Steve smith admitted & plead guilty for wrong doing ..

But what a waste of good captain & a great batsman.. lesson for all the cricketers to be on the right side of the game .. — Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) 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

It comes after Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland sent Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft home from South Africa for breaching Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct.

Mr Sutherland said knowledge of the incident was confined to the three players, but refused to acknowledge it was cheating.

“In view of the broader reputational and integrity issues involved, the sanctions that will be contemplated are significant. The process must therefore be thorough to ensure that all relevant issues have been examined,” he said.

“I understand the appetite for urgency given the reputation of Australia as a sporting nation has been damaged in the eyes of many. However, urgency must be balanced with due process given the serious implications for all involved.”

MORE: Warner falls on IPL sword

Cricket Australia Chairman, David Peever said the body understands that the issue goes beyond the “technical nature of offences” to the heart of fans.

“Ultimately, it is about whether Australians can feel proud of their national sporting teams.

“That depends as much on the way the players conduct themselves, as it does about winning or losing.

“It is about how we play the game,” he said.

Three replacement players: Matthew Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns, will join the team in South Africa.