Thursday 5 April 2018 10:36, UK
Australia's Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft have confirmed they will not be appealing their bans from cricket.
Former Australia captain Smith and ex-vice-captain David Warner were suspended for 12 months by Cricket Australia, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban, for their roles in using sandpaper on the ball during the third Test against South Africa.
On Tuesday, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) called on Cricket Australia (CA) to reconsider the sanctions imposed on the players, saying they did not follow precedent for the type of offence.
The trio have until Thursday to tell Cricket Australia whether they accept their punishment or will opt for a hearing, as is their right, but Smith and Bancroft have already made their intentions clear.
Smith wrote on Twitter: "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.
"I won't be challenging the sanctions. They've been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them."
Bancroft, 25, vowed to restore his reputation in his home country, but said he will not be appealing his ban.
"Today I lodged the paperwork with Cricket Australia and will be accepting the sanction handed down," he wrote on Twitter.
"I would love to put this behind me and will do whatever it takes to earn back the trust of the Australian public. Thank you to all those who have sent messages of support."
In addition to his suspension, Smith has been banned from captaining Australia for the next two years.
Since the scandal erupted, Smith - the world's No 1 Test batsman - has lost a lucrative Indian Premier League contract and has been dumped by sponsors.
The 28-year-old insisted in a tearful press conference in Sydney last week the ball-tampering in South Africa, which was conceived by Warner, carried out by Bancroft and signed off by Smith, was an isolated incident and had not occurred previously under his leadership.
"To my knowledge, this has never happened before," he said.
Comment below to get involved in the debate, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.
