it probably was the first time. they are decedents of people who had a proven track record of getting caught

Lolstralia

Hope you all get banned from life

I, for one, will be interested in how high a moral ground Athers takes in the papers tomorrow.

He is a baby. He made his test debut in November. Think back to the Kronje dressing room pressures. It would be his word against the captain's and the others in that senior committee "team leadership group" (probably including Warner) if he went public. What would happen is that he would be ostracized and then not selected again.

Sorry: tell them to **** off and keep quiet: not selected again: moderate record, but whispered to the press that he's not a team player is reason enough.

Tbh, exec is my main initial source for the story , so I'm not sure about the timing. But, also, if Bancroft was the one who initially dobbed Smith in - once he was caught - and Smith rides it out as he is trying to, I wouldn't give much for Bancroft's future.

Smith is toast as captain. No chance he rides this out.

Smith/Warner "agreed to stand down" lol, I welcome our new Paine overlords

lol

That Root wicket in the last over of the day was clutch. Should make for a great day 5.

Come on man, he's not a baby. He made his first class debut 4.5 years ago - that's tough hard cricket in Oz. He's also happy to play the media game when it suits him (eg with Headbutgate) and is a well known sledger. Trying to feel sorry for him, as if he's a young kid still wet behind the ears, doesn't fly with me.

Note that I'm not saying that wanting a younger player to do the dirty work doesn't make what Smith etc did (which I assume includes Warner also, as you say) worse - just that Bancroft should know the difference between right and wrong.

Re Kronje - many players said no and I'm not sure that they were dropped. Boucher was one I think (?), though he wasn't a marginal selection to be fair.

FWIW - the build up to the Eng NZ day was all about this on Sky. Atherton felt some sympathy for Bancroft it seemed (though it was mainly about the incident reflecting even more badly on Smith) whereas David LLoyd wouldn't have it (it terms of sympathy for Bancroft, not ragging on Smith). Then the affable Rob Key launched into a tirade against Smith, saying that he's fed up of him and the Oz team.

One thing they said was that, under the guidelines, the offence isn't that big in terms of de-merit points and bans (2 points for Bancroft, maybe more for Smith if they use the catch-all "bringing the game into disrepute" rules). They ICC may need to look at that. As it stands, unless the relevant cricket board take action this kind of thing could potentially not even lead to a single player missing a test match.

Nothing wrong with using sandpaper on your balls, although I wouldn’t do it on a cricket field

Smith suspended for one test and fined match fee, Bancroft three demerit points and fined 75% of match fee

wtf they have disgraced themselves, their nation and the great and proud game of cricket beyond redemption. suspended for one test? demerit points?

where's the ****in 10 year bans??

One year ban seems reasonable. Would have them back for The Ashes so not too onerous.

Year ban from the sport seems fair.

LOL. Gregg Chapple didn't get suspended for even one game for the infamous underarm incident.

Because hes an entitled, deluded little piece of awfully-techniqued ****

Thank god the PM of Australia has stepped in and made them do the right thing

Absolutely disgraceful

"The leadership group" knew of it. Whats the bet Davey Dum Dum was the main instigator?

Ban them all for ****ing ever. Premeditated cheating should be punished to the maximum extent and more.

Throw the little ***** out of the game

yes and strip australia of any win which featured any of the proven cheaters, as they are tainted

Yeah - that's fair enough. He's not a baby, and he fits right into the team in terms of being a **** (tw**). I don't feel sorry for him. But he is still right at the start of his test career, and presumably being told to sandpaper his balls by Smith & Warner.

My point wasn't about how established players could stand up to Kronje, but how early career players found it difficult.

A lot of people around the England team really don't like this Australia team and are happy to be able to justifiably put the boot in. Eg, to add to your list, Vaughan (who was been getting into it on twitter with Warner's wife before this happened) and Swann.

In positive news NZ just beat England and there was some good old fashioned passion on display

Henry Nicholls batted on each of the 1st 4 days of the test as part of the same innings

All is well with the world

That Wagner spell was something to watch

Go the Black Caps! Great win!

From what I've been told that this is very consistent with the Chris Lynn that appears in public. Shooting off the hip.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket...0eb137edb3f394

Footage of Bancroft putting sugar in his pockets during the Ashes.

I would be very surprised if Tim Paine didn't know about this before they went out after lunch I think it was (and not tea?). I mean the keeper is pretty much in everything even if they aren't in an official leadership position. I would like to see them bring in someone for the short term with experience, a track record and who has a cool head on his shoulders; this being George Bailey.