Ricky Ponting believes the lengthy bans given to former Australia captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their roles in March's ball-tampering scandal in South Africa have been a beneficial "shock" to world cricket.

Smith and his deputy Warner were given 12-month bans by Cricket Australia, with batsman Bancroft -- the man who sandpapered the ball in a bid to aid reverse-swing during a Test match in Cape Town -- was given a nine-month suspension. The issue was discussed during a two-day meeting at Lord's concluded Tuesday of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee -- of which Australia great Ponting is a member. The committee, an advisory group whose chairman is former England captain Mike Gatting, has no power to implement decisions but makes suggestions to the International Cricket Council.