THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE AUSSIE TRIO'S BANS

Note: This article is just an assumption of what might have been the cause for the bans of the Aussie trio - Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. The article is explained in two phases in order to give a clear-cut explanation to the readers.

Phase 1: BALL TAMPERING SCANDAL

Ball tampering became the most popular subject among the whole cricketing world a few days back when the Aussie cricketers involved in it. The whole cricketing world was shocked, not because the players were involved but for Cricket Australia's decision. When the cameraman let the cat out of the bag about the ball tampering by Bancroft, ICC (International Cricket Council) suspended Smith for one match and fined Bancroft 75% of the match fee. But in no time, Cricket Australia dropped a bombshell by banning Smith and Warner for 1 year along with Bancroft for 9 months from international cricket. There have been many ball-tampering incidents in the past which also include famous cricketers Rahul Dravid, Faf du Plessis(twice), Shahid Afridi, Sachin Tendulkar(alleged), the whole Pakistan cricket team(2006) and the whole England cricket team(2005). However, they were handed over with just 1-2 matches bans or fined by ICC. But in this case, Cricket Australia punished the trio severely and it was completely undeserving.

Phase 2: PAY DISPUTE
Few months before the ball-tampering incident, the Australian cricket team faced a humiliation which was the pay dispute between ACA(Australian Cricketers Association) and CA(Cricket Australia. During the pay dispute, the captain Steve Smith and the vice-captain David Warner played major roles on opposing Cricket Australia. The players also said that they would boycott THE ASHES if their demands are not met with. This lead to a huge breakdown in the Australian cricket team as the other players too supported Smith and Warner. Finally, CA was able to solve the dispute by agreeing to ACA's demands. However, we can say that CA was not satisfied with their final decision. To know more about the pay dispute, click here

By comparing the above two phases, you could say that CA killed two birds with one stone. They were able to put an end to the ball-tampering scandal as well as took a revenge over Smith and Warner considering the pay dispute.