Cricket Australia likely to take strong actions.
In the eye of controversy over ball tampering row, Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmannn has offered to quit, reports Telegraph UK. Cricket Australia is also likely to ban Steve Smith and David Warner for at least one year, according to multiple reports in UK and Australian media.
Lehmannn may resign within the next 24 hours according to Telegraph UK. With ICC already giving Steve Smith ban of one match, and three demerit points to Cameron Bancroft, all eyes are on Cricket Australia about disciplinary steps they will take. Vice-captain David Warner is also likely to face sanctions as part of the leadership group which planned ball tampering in the third test match against South Africa.
According to Guardian, bowlers Josh Hazlewodd and Mitchell Starc who are part of the the leadership group, are upset that their name is also dragged in he controversy. They are likely to demand to CA to get their names cleared.
According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald: "Smith, Warner and (Cameron) Bancroft - the players at the heart of the scandal - were set to be among the first players interviewed by Head of Integrity (CA) Iain Roy, who was endeavouring to paint a picture of how the ball-tampering plan was devised as well as the extent of others' knowledge of it. "The wider role of head coach Darren Lehmannnn and his staff was also being examined." In a statement released late on Monday, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said he plans to meet with Roy in Johannesburg to be briefed on the investigation that was conducted with the team in Cape Town and to determine any course of action undertaken by CA.
He said the inquiry is being carried out "as a matter of urgency", and that the findings it yielded will be shared with the public to be kept updated on its progress. CA chairman David Peever said the board of directors had been fully briefed on the issue as it stands, and he expected there would be information to share publicly within 48 hours. "The Cricket Australia Board has been fully updated on the issue and supports James travelling to South Africa to manage the response to the investigation currently underway," Peever said. "We expect to be able to fully update the Australian public on the findings on Wednesday morning (Tuesday evening in Johannesburg)." It is believed that Cricket Australia wants to hit the duo where it hurts the most -- scuttle their participation in the lucrative multi-million dollar IPL.
Sutherland is shortly due to reach South Africa, and will start his discussion. A final decision is expected by the end of the day.
If the duo gets suspended for at least one year, then there are chances that they might not even be a part of the Australian team that will take on India Down Under at the end of this year. Warner plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Royals, on their part, stated that it was Smith who stepped down from captaincy allowing Rahane to take over. "Steve believes given the current circumstances it's in the best interest of the Rajasthan Royals that he steps down as captain so the team can get ready for the start of the IPL without the ongoing distractions," Royals' head of cricket Zubin Bharucha said. Co-owner of Royals Manoj Badale acknowledged that Smith is going through a tough time.
The embattled Steve Smith on Monday stepped down as Rajasthan Royals captain in a fallout of the ball-tampering scandal that has left the Australian skipper's reputation in tatters, raising serious doubts over his participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League. India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will now lead Rajasthan Royals in IPL-11 starting April 7.
With PTI inputs
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