Smith not to contest ball-tampering ban

Smith and ex-vice-captain David Warner were handed one-year bans and Bancroft was given a nine-month suspension by Cricket Australia (CA), after the infamous incident took place in the Cape Town Test against South Africa.

“I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country. But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as Captain of the team,” Smith wrote on Twitter.

“I won’t be challenging the sanctions. They’ve been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them,” he added. (IANS)