Extremely disappointed at the disconcerting ball-tampering episode during the Australia-South Africa third Test in Cape Town that has rocked the cricket world, the chairman of the ICC Shashank Manohar told The Hindu : “Every team wants to win, but players cannot use dubious methods to gain victory.
“It is not in the spirit of the game. The ICC has taken a serious note of the events in Cape Town.”
Australia captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft — who were behind the unfair practice of “trying to change the condition of the match ball” — first faced punitive actions from the ICC, and on Wednesday, Cricket Australia banned Smith and Warner from playing cricket for 12 months and Bancroft for nine months.
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When asked about the ICC’s plan of action, Manohar said: “The ICC plans to put together a group of former players of impeccable reputation.
This new panel will operate under the existing Code of Conduct, but (it) will be free to recommend punitive measures that it may deem fit.
The penalty must be such that it deters all cricketers from indulging in such malpractices in future.”
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According to Manohar, the ICC would talk to former cricketers — who have been captains of their countries — Allan Border, Shaun Pollock, Anil Kumble, Mahela Jayawardene and Richie Richardson and ascertain their availability to perform the specific role.
The ICC’s Code of Conduct for players and match officials have been put in place after consulting the Cricket Committee which actually outlined the classification of offences and punishments.
And on the Cricket Committee’s guidance, the ICC’s legal team drafted the regulations.