Voges 'not surprised' by CA's decision to upheld ban

Veteran Australian batsman Adam Voges has stated that he is "not surprised" by Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to uphold the ban of former skipper Steve Smith, opener David Warner, and pacer Cameron Bancroft. The trio was suspended by the CA for their alleged rule in a massive ball-tampering scandal during a Test series against South Africa in March.

The Western Australia coach further hoped that his team player Bancroft had not pinned too much hope on having his ban reduced.

"No, I'm not surprised that they didn't get their way. Cricket Australia made this call and they stuck to it, which they always said they would, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Voges, as saying.

"I just hope Cam hasn't built up too much hope about it. I'm sure he's probably disappointed, but we'll continue to stick to the plan. He's got six weeks to go. I know there's been a lot of speculation the last few weeks about possible reductions. That hasn't happened. He'll continue to play for Willetton, and get ready for our fourth Big Bash game when he's available," he added.

Expressing his views about CA's decision, the former Test batsman said that the banned players are now, at least, clear about the matter and they know what exactly needs to be done. "At least there's some finality about it, I guess, in that the guys know exactly what they have to do, and they know exactly when they will be returning," Voges said.

The decision to uphold the suspension of three players was taken during CA's board meeting which was conducted to consider a request of the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), calling to lift the sanctions imposed. Rejecting the ACA's submission, the interim chairman of CA Earl Eddings had said that it is "not appropriate to make any changes to the sanctions handed down to the three players." The interim chairman also had clarified that no further calls for amendments to the sanctions would be considered by the CA.

Smith and Warner, who were handed over a 12-month suspension, will not return to top-level cricket before March 30. Bancroft, on the other hand, is serving a nine-month ban and will not return to action before December 30.