Steve Smith has been handed a one-match suspension after admitting he was party to a decision to ball-tamper during Australia’s Test match against South Africa in Cape Town. 

ICC chief executive David Richardson charged Smith under the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which prohibits ‘all types of conduct of a serious nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game’. 

Smith accepted the charge and the sanction of two suspension points, which means he will miss the fourth and final Test match against South Africa.

Richardson said: ‘The decision made by the leadership group of the Australian team to act in this way is clearly contrary to the spirit of the game, risks causing significant damage to the integrity of the match, the players and the sport itself and is therefore ‘serious’ in nature. 

‘As captain, Steve Smith must take full responsibility for the actions of his players and it is appropriate that he be suspended. ‘The game needs to have a hard look at itself. In recent weeks we have seen incidents of ugly sledging, send-offs, dissent against umpires’ decisions, a walk-off, ball tampering and some ordinary off-field behaviour.

‘The ICC needs to do more to prevent poor behavior and better police the spirit of the game, defining more clearly what is expected of players and enforcing the regulations in a consistent fashion. 

‘In addition and most importantly Member countries need to show more accountability for their teams’ conduct. Winning is important but not at the expense of the spirit of the game which is intrinsic and precious to the sport of cricket. We have to raise the bar across all areas.’ 

Smith has also been fined 100% of his match fee while Bancroft, who was caught on camera trying to change the condition of the ball, received a 75 per cent fine and was handed three demerit points.

Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees said: ‘To carry a foreign object on to the field of play with the intention of changing the condition of the ball to gain an unfair advantage over your opponent is against not only the Laws, but the Spirit of the game as well. 

‘That said, I acknowledge that Cameron has accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty to the charge and apologising publicly.

‘As a young player starting out in international cricket, I hope the lessons learned from this episode will strongly influence the way he plays the game during the rest of his career.’