Cricket Australia today suspended Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for the fourth Test against South Africa
Cricket Australia today decided to send home captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, a newcomer in the team, for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. Tim Paine will replace Smith as the captain of the Australian cricket team for the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
No action has been taken against Darren Lehmann who will continue to coach the team.
While the trio will depart South Africa tomorrow, replacement players Matthew Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns will fly to Johannesburg over the next 24 hours to join the squad.
The sanction against the trio was announced by Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, who had flown into Johannesburg just hours earlier to get to the bottom of the scandal, at a packed news conference.
“Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has officially reported Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for breaching article 2.3.5 of Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct.Bancroft and captain Steve Smith admitted to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town,” a statement by the Australian crikcet board said.
The action is based on preliminary findings of the investigation and sanctions are expected to be announced within the next 24 hours.
Bancroft and captain Steve Smith admitted to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Bancroft was caught on television cameras appearing to rub a yellow object on the ball, and later said: "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I want to be here (in the press conference) because I want to be accountable for my actions."
Smith has been banned for one Test by the International Cricket Council for his role in a plot that saw team-mate Cameron Bancroft tamper with the ball by using yellow sticky tape during the third Test against South Africa in Newlands.
Bancroft escaped with a fine of 75% match fee and three demerit points.
Speaking on the matter Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “In view of the broader reputational and integrity issues involved, the sanctions that will be contemplated are significant. The process must therefore be thorough to ensure that all relevant issues have been examined.”
“I understand the appetite for urgency given the reputation of Australia as a sporting nation has been damaged in the eyes of many. However, urgency must be balanced with due process given the serious implications for all involved,” he added.
In addition to sanctions for individuals, Cricket Australia will initiate an independent review into the conduct and culture of our Australian men’s teams, he said.
“We will have more to say about this review in the coming days, but it will be conducted by an expert panel who will report to the Cricket Australia Board,” Sutherland concluded.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Cricket Australia suspends Smith, Warner and Bancroft for 4th Test against South Africa")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}