'Steve Smith and David Warner got away with murder,' says this West Indies superstar

Former West Indies cricketer Curtly Ambrose said that Steve Smith and David Warner got away with murder over the ball-tampering scandal that hit Australian cricket. Ambrose further added that they should have given a two-year ban for the crime that committed.

Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year over sandpaper scandal that happened in South Africa in March 2018. Cameron Bancroft, who carried out the tampering was handed over a nine months ban. The punishment for Smith and Warner was the strongest ever imposed for ball tampering.

While speaking on an Australian sports television show, Ambrose said that, “You don’t want to deprive professionals from doing something they love, but I felt that they got away with murder. The one-year ban was too lenient for the crime they committed. I feel a two-year ban would have given a stronger message because it was stupid.”

Steve Smith and David Warner completed their punishment on March 28 this year. They are also playing in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. Warner has come back with a bang as he is currently the orange cap holder in the IPL for scoring the most number of runs.

Smith however did not start well in the IPL but he scored 73 not-out against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 7. Smith and Warner are expected to return into the Australian squad for the World Cup 2019 that will take place in England and Wales. Australia will play their first match against Afghanistan on June 1.

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