Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months after an investigation identified Warner as the instigator of the ball tampering plan that unravelled in South Africa.

Williamson expressed sympathy and understanding for Warner and Smith who, he said, were paying heavily for a single lapse in judgement.

The former vice-captain took to social media to post a heartfelt apology for the fans after playing the 'leading' role in the ball-tampering saga.

Smith and Warner were banned from playing for Australia, or any high-level cricket in Australia, for a year. Bancroft received a nine-month ban.

While Tendulkar feels that the ban is the right decision, his longtime on-field competitor Shane Warne felt that the quantum of punishment didn't match the crime.

The past and present players have mixed reactions to the scandal where plenty condemn their actions, a few feel that the 'punishment might not fit the crime'.

Smith admitted his guilt but the manner in which Cricket Australia's elaborate release on the charges levelled against him tried to portray him as the first among the equals of a rare breed of criminals.

Speaking to the media, Sutherland said the investigation carried out by head of integrity Ian Roy has found that Lehmann in no way was familiar with the plan.

The Test great has condemned the trio for engaging themselves in 'premeditating cheating' but also believes that the hysteria surrounding the scandal has resulted in excessive penalties.

In a startling revelation, David Warner was identified as the instigator of the ball tampering plan and won't ever be allowed to captain Australia.

IPL commissioner Rajiv Shukla has confirmed that Smith and Warner won't play in this year's IPL after both were handed 12-month ban from Cricket Australia over ball-tampering scandal.

Steve Smith and David Warner were on Wednesday banned from playing for Australia for a period of one year. Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft has received a nine-month ban.

Hussey, who is currently the batting coach of CSK, said a player is always remembered more for how he played the game than the runs or wickets he gathered.

Australian captain Steve Smith had earlier stepped down as the Rajasthan Royals captain and was replaced by Ajinkya Rahane.

Cricket Australia hasn't finalized sanctions for the three players, but lengthy bans are expected.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland promised that the immediate cricket fates of Smith, Warner and Bancroft would be known within a day.

Rhodes said people are calling for handing them stringent punishment, but there are different sets of ICC rules and regulations, and ball tampering does not fall under such provisions.

Ball-tampering row: Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft had prior knowledge about the cheating plan and promised severe sanctions against them.

Cricket Australia is all set to announce the sanctions on Wednesday and there is a possibility that both Smith and Warner could be out of international cricket for a considerable period of time.

Here's a list of some of the higher-profile ball-tampering cases in the modern game.