English county cricket sides have been discreetly approached over chance to sign Steve Smith during 12-month ban

EXCLUSIVE
Crying shame | Steve Smith could play in England during his Australia suspension
EPA
Tom Collomosse5 April 2018

County sides are being discreetly sounded out about the possibility of signing Steve Smith this summer.

The former Australia skipper is suspended from playing first-class or international cricket for his country for 12 months following the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town last month that shook the sport.

Yet Standard Sport understands a number of counties have been given encouragement over the possibility of taking Smith, whose ban does not - in theory - prevent him from playing professional cricket overseas.

There is a sense within the first-class game here that Cricket Australia’s stance has softened slightly after Smith showed humility and regret. It will be intriguing to see whether that extends to letting Smith ply his trade in England.

David Warner, identified by CA as the instigator of the ball-tampering plan, followed Smith and Cameron Bancroft by announcing via social media that he would not appeal against his penalty.

Warner tweeted: “I have today let Cricket Australia know I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me. I am truly sorry for my actions and will now do everything I can to be a better person, team-mate and role model.”

To play domestic cricket in England, however, Smith - as well as Warner and Bancroft - would need a no-objection certificate from CA to play for a county. Then, the ECB would have to agree to his registration.

Smith, Warner and Bancroft were punished by their governing body for the plot use sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball, during the Cape Town Test against South Africa.

In accepting his punishment on Wednesday, Smith tweeted: “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. I won’t be challenging the sanctions. They’ve been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them.”

Steve Smith said the incident was "a failure of my leadership" Photo: AP
AP

Bancroft was banned for nine months. Somerset confirmed last week they would no longer be joining them as their overseas player this summer.

Whether a county side would pursue Warner is open to debate. The opener is one of the most controversial characters in cricket, and the cheating scandal has damaged his reputation severely.

After all three players accepted their punishments, CA chief executive James Sutherland said: “These are significant penalties for professional cricketers. They were not imposed lightly. We know the players will return to playing the game they love, and in doing so, we hope they rebuild their careers and regain the trust of fans.”

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