Lehmann hopes banned trio plays for Australia again

Cricket365
May 6, 2018

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann says he still keeps in touch with banned trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft and hopes they’ll be forgiven for their transgressions.

Smith and Warner were given one-year bans while Bancroft was suspended for nine months for their part in the ball-tampering scandal that rocked Australian cricket on their tour in South Africa.

Lehmann, who it was found had no part in a plot to alter the condition of the ball in the third Test against the Proteas, resigned from his position once the tour was done.

Cricket Australia (CA) have already appointed Justin Langer as the new head coach but Lehmann says he is still worries about the banned trio.

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Lehmann told Radio FIVEaa: “They are all good young men, I feel for the three players especially. I worry about them day-in, day-out.

“I hope they come back and play for Australia because they’re fantastic young men and they’ve paid the price.

“For me Australian cricket is the most important thing and hopefully everyone can get back and play the right type of cricket that makes everyone respect and enjoy the Australian cricket team again.

“It has been a tough six weeks for myself, but I put myself in David Warner’s shoes, Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith… they’ve been to hell and back, haven’t they?

“Hopefully, everyone forgives them. I’m sure they will. They’re bloody good human beings and I love them dearly. I speak to them quite a lot. It’s a case of keeping in contact because I worry about them. They’re going okay.”

CA have confirmed details of two concurrent and interrelated reviews commissioned to examine any cultural issues following events during the recent Australian Men’s cricket tour to South Africa.

These reviews will specifically address the implications following the incident that occurred during the Cape Town Test, to identify and recommend measures for improvement.