Steven Smith

Bans handed to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft should be reduced, the Australian cricketers' union said Tuesday, arguing the punishment was disproportionate to previous ball-tampering cases. Disgraced former captain Smith and his deputy Warner were suspended from international and domestic cricket for 12 months and Bancroft for nine months over a plot to alter the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. All three players have apologised and accepted responsibility in emotional press conferences after being kicked off the tour and returning home last week.