Hobart Hurricanes wicket-keeper Emily Smith has been suspended for three months after she posted her team’s playing line-up on her Instagram account before it was officially released by the franchise. The 24-year old was found guilty of breaching Cricket Australia’s Anti-Corruption Code by making the team public an hour before it was officially meant to be declared.
Smith, thus, will take no further part in the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League and will also miss the Women’s National Cricket League. The wicket-keeper had posted the Hurricanes’ team to face Sydney Thunder on Instagram on November 2. The match though was abandoned due to incessant rain.
The Anti-Corruption Code prohibits disclosing inside information to the public where “disclosure might lead to the information being used in relation to betting in relation to any match or event”.
Sean Carroll, the head of integrity and security of CA, stated that Smith did not purposely breach the code, but players should be more aware of their duties towards ensuring that cricket remains clean.
“There is no excuse for breaches regardless of the reasons for information being disclosed.
“Since the commencement of the WBBL, Cricket Australia has had in place a robust anti-corruption program.
“We have been working with Emily throughout the process and Emily now understands the mistake she made.
“We hope this serves as a reminder to all that the Anti-Corruption Code is critical to protecting the integrity of the game.”
Smith played eight games this year for her WBBL team but got to bat in just 2 innings, where she scored just 17 runs. She affected two stumpings and one catch this season.