Ball tampering episode a wake-up call: Jacques Kallis

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Kolkata: Legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis on Sunday said the recent ball-tampering scandal in South Africa was a "wake-up" call for international cricket.

"I think there has been a lot of media and a lot of talk over what has happened in the last few days. It's probably taken up too much of everybody's time," the Kolkata Knight Riders head coach told reporters on the sidelines of their jersey and squad unveiling ahead of Season 11 here.

"It's just made players all around the world aware that you have to be careful of what you do. So like I said, it's going to be a big wake-up call."

Cricket Australia banned Steven Smith and David Warner for one year while Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months after all three admitted to ball-tampering in the third Test.

Smith and Warmer have also been barred from playing in the IPL.

"I do not wish to add too much to it but think it's just been a wake-up call for everyone in international cricket. We need to look after this game and make sure we play in the right spirit and the right way."

The KKR head coach, however, urged his team to play hard but in a fair manner.

"What I will be pressing upon my players is that we play the game hard but we play fair. It's pretty much how I would like to see KKR play and that's how we have been playing in the past," he added.