Australia’s players’ union has appealed for a reduction in the suspension period of Australia cricketers, Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft announced by Cricket Australia (CA) for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last week, describing them as “disproportionate”. Former skipper Smith and his deputy Warner were handed one-year suspensions, while the opener Bancroft suspended for nine months by CA after the latter was caught using a piece of sandpaper on the ball in the third Test in Cape Town.

During a news conference in Sydney, Australian Cricketers’Association (ACA) President Greg Dyer said, “The proposed penalties are disproportionate relative to precedent. We ask that consideration is given to recalibrating the proposed sanctions, to consider options such as suspending or reducing part of the sanction.”

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The trio returned to Australia and gave emotional press conferences where they accepted their mistake and took the responsibility for their actions with none suggesting they might appeal. Smith and Warner were also sacked from their leadership duties, are going to lose millions of dollars in earnings through sponsorships and the bans costing them $1.85 million Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 contracts as well.

Smith and Bancroft were banned from holding leadership positions within the Australian team for a period of two years, while Warner has been banned for life for taking any leadership role which regards to CA. Because of the fact tha Warner has received harsh punishment, one can clearly conclude that the results of the investigation of CA which alleged the opening batsman was the chief instigator of the plot to go against the spirit of the game.

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Warner, who has hinted that he will not play for his country again, attracted some criticism after his press conference in Sydney on Saturday for not answering questions, instead, he opted to neglect them with a pre-prepared line. Bancroft was cast as the junior player led adrift by Warner, while Smith appears to be well on his way to redemption after breaking down in tears after his arrival press conference.

Talking about the same, Dyer said, “I think Australia cried with Steve Smith last Thursday. I know I certainly did. We ask for this extraordinary contrition to be taken into account by Cricket Australia just as it would be in any fair and proper process.”