Joe Root says Steve Smith and David Warner bans send strong message

Joe Root has described Steve Smith and David Warner's 12-month bans for ball-tampering as a "strong statement to world cricket".

Australia captain Smith and deputy Warner will be unable to play professionally for the next year while Cameron Bancroft must serve a nine-month suspension.

The absences are among a raft of Cricket Australia punishments after Smith and Bancroft's admission to a plot - in which Warner was a ringleader - to use sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball.

The England captain told Sky Sports: "It can't have been nice for Steve. I know he loves the game and I am sure he will be hurting personally right now.

"Cricket Australia have made a strong statement to world cricket.

"I think with the reaction it has had around the game, from the noise it has it has had, it shows what people want to watch on the field.

"They want to watch good hard cricket but played within the laws of the game and the amount of tension this has had has backed that up.

"As an international player you have responsibility now moving forward more than ever to make sure you're doing that and that's exactly what we need to make sure we continue to do."

Speaking ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, which is live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10pm on Thursday, Root added he was happy with the standards of behaviour England have reached under his captaincy.

"I think we conduct ourselves pretty well on the field ... I'm happy with that," he said.

"That's what people want to watch, and that's how we want to play - good, hard cricket that is obviously within the guidelines of the game.

"Everyone will have their own opinion [on Smith and Warner]. I'm not going to sit here and say what [people should think and do] ... they can make their minds up on it themselves.

"All I need to do is make sure I look after this team, and make sure we're doing everything in the right manner."

Asked what makes New Zealand so different from their near neighbours in terms of on-field conduct, Root said: "There might not be as much said verbally.

"[But] when you play against New Zealand you still get a sense that they're playing good, hard cricket.

"They go about things very much in their own way, but you know you're up against a side that is desperate to win and is very skilful."

Root's admiration of New Zealand's on-field behaviour is now being echoed by Australia coach Darren Lehmann, who came through the ball-tampering scandal unscathed.

"The thing for me would be if we take a leaf out of someone like say New Zealand's book, the way they play and respect the opposition," he said.

"We've got to make sure we're respecting the game and its traditions."