“Expensive Bit of Sandpaper”: Twitter Reacts to Ball Tampering Row

While some feel that the ban was too harsh, others feel it was not enough. What do you think?

The latest judgement on the dire actions of Australian cricketers Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft is out! After confessing to ball-tampering, Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner have both been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for their involvement. While batsman Cameron Bancroft, who was actually caught on camera tampering with the ball, has been banned for nine months.

But if you think that these were the only consequences they had to face, then you’re wrong!

With IPL season 11 just round the corner, IPL Commissioner Rajeev Shukla has announced that both Smith and Warner will not be playing this season.

The news of this ban has caused quite a stir on social media. While some dissed the decision, others praised it.

Cricket Fraternity Give Their Two Cents

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

I must admit 12 months is a very harsh ban. 6 months I thought was right but clearly this reflects the uproar in Australia. It means they miss the India series and have little time to get ready for the World Cup

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2018

So Steve Smith is not going to captain Rajasthan Royals. Really interesting, a bit unexpected. Will David Warner too not captain Hyderabad. If it happens that way, we may have all 8 Indian Captains for the first time in IPL history.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 26, 2018

Huss is so right here & is an example of it : Character first skills later. MUST READ. https://t.co/Z4M7M0bPBe

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 28, 2018

The IPL Commissioner has confirmed Dave Warner and Steve Smith will not play in the IPL this year - which means they've each lost out on contracts worth $2.5 million. Expensive bit of sandpaper. #cricketcrisis

— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) March 28, 2018

Yes, Smith, Warner & Bancroft made a terrible error & they are paying for it with lengthy bans but the abuse & some insinuations they & others have faced affect people’s lives. They are cricketers, not mass murderers, & cricket is a sport, nothing more #perspective #SAvAus 2/2

— Brian Murgatroyd (@murgersb) March 28, 2018

Some Call it “Too Harsh”

Steve Smith owned up everything. Apologised whole heartedly. Still lost captaincy, pride and a place in team.
Enough is enough,you guys are doing pure injustice.
1 yr ban is too harsh.

— Ashish Mishra (@kartavyaam) March 28, 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

Not condoning ball tampering but penalties handed to Smith/Warner/Bancroft excessive considering these are penalties handed down to other ball tamperers:
Atherton fined $3,700, Younis 1 match, Dravid 50% match fee, Afridi 2 T20 games, Du Plessis 50% fee, Du Plessis 100% fee

— Barrel Money (@barrel46) March 28, 2018

This ban is a complete disgrace. I hope Smith and Warner and Bancroft hire a very good lawyer, first to appeal, and then to sue the pants of Sutherland and Cricket Australia for defamation...

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) March 28, 2018

While Some Have a Good Laugh

Turns out Australia’s ‘leadership group’ is just Steve Smith and David Warner.

Like that time I said a ‘group of us’ went out for my birthday and it was just me and my mum.

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 27, 2018

Best poster ever#BallTamperingRow pic.twitter.com/NIHI7XOYg1

— നിച്ചു മോൻ (@AbdulNisarM1) March 26, 2018

Confucius says ....

Man who tampers with ball will get the sack!#BallTamperingRow

— Net Tiffie (@Net_Tertia) March 27, 2018

Smith, Warner and Bancroft finish packing their cricket kit for the long trip home. #SandpaperGate pic.twitter.com/kovFFXaV9u

— Danny Kelly (@dannykellywords) March 28, 2018

Smith & Warner right now pic.twitter.com/rnt9tTfJzM

— ßєคɾɖ Guყ 🇮🇳🏏 (@BeingFlicked) March 28, 2018

Warner and Smith have already picked up a new assignment! Not as lucrative as IPL...😂 pic.twitter.com/fcgzoKQOFF

— AveragePunter (@yashmodi) March 28, 2018

If Bunnings don't sign Smith, Warner or Bancroft to an endorsement deal, I'll be extremely disappointed.

Seems like a great marketing opportunity... pic.twitter.com/MGGsA9nDNM

— Sir Splash (@miltrain) March 27, 2018

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!