Share

Smith, Warner, Bancroft sent home amid ball-tampering scandal

Johannesburg - Australia captain Steve Smith will be sent home in disgrace from the tour of South Africa for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, but coach Darren Lehmann will remain in charge, team management said on Tuesday.

READ: Proteas, Aussies yet to share post-game beers

Smith and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, the player caught on camera attempting to doctor the ball with a piece of tape, will return home for their role after an incident which has dragged Australian cricket's reputation through the mud.

Vice-captain David Warner, who was previously fined 75 percent of his match fee after an altercation with South Africa's Quinton de Kock during an earlier match in the bad-tempered Test series, will also leave the tour. 

"I understand and share the anger and disappointment of Australian fans," Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said at a press conference in Johannesburg.

"On behalf of Cricket Australia, I want to apologise to all Australians that these events have taken place, especially to all the kids."

He added: "I want to also apologise to Cricket South Africa and South African fans that this issue has overshadowed what should have been a great series."

Further sanctions are expected to be announced shortly after preliminary findings of the investigation into the ball-tampering incident in the third Test in Cape Town are completed, Sutherland said. 

Smith has already been suspended for one Test and docked his entire match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his role in the affair.

Sutherland indicated that the three players could expect tough penalties over the incident last Saturday.

"Sanctions are expected to be announced within the next 24 hours," he said, declining to state categorically whether they had been cheating.

Bancroft used a strip of yellow sticky tape he had covered with dirt granules to illegally scratch the rough side of the ball, in an attempt to generate more swing for Australia's bowlers.

He was filmed not only rubbing the ball with the dirtied tape but also concealing the evidence down the front of his trousers.

Smith said after the Test that the Australians' "leadership group" had been aware of the plan to alter the condition of the ball.

However, Sutherland insisted Lehmann had had no knowledge of the plot.

"Prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident was limited to three players... No other players or support staff had prior knowledge and this includes Darren Lehmann, who despite inaccurate media reports, has not resigned from his position," said Sutherland. 

"He will continue to coach the Australia men's team under his current contract."

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine will take over the captaincy for the fourth and final Test starting in Johannesburg Friday, with hosts South Africa leading the series 2-1.

South Africa coach Ottis Gibson said Australia's desperation to win might have driven them to tamper with the ball.

"The Aussies have said themselves that the brand of cricket they play is to win at all costs," he said.

He said the tight series against South Africa was a completely different contest than the Australians' 4-0 Ashes series win over England, which ended in January.

"When you look at the Ashes, they were never really behind in many of the games. They won quite comfortably.

"Here they were behind a couple of times and perhaps that desperation came into it for them. It's a shame that something like this had to happen for them to have a look at themselves."

Responding to suggestions that Australia might have attempted to manipulate the ball in other matches, Sutherland said he hoped the incident was a one-off.

"The feeling from the review is that this is an isolated incident but there are things that I don't want to go into too much detail right now," he said.

"But I certainly hope it is an isolated incident."

Ali Bacher, the last South Africa skipper in 1969/70 to win a series against Australia on home soil, said Smith and his team were "incredibly stupid".

"In this age of a thousand cameras, it was stupid to even think of doing it (ball tampering), and incredibly stupid to go through with it," he said.

READ: How SuperSport's cameramen caught Bancroft red-handed

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE