Steve Smith and David Warner have stood down from their leadership roles for the remainder of the third Test.
Tim Paine will captain Australia.
“Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as Captain and Vice-Captain respectively for the remainder of this Test match.
“This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands.
“As I said earlier today, Cricket Australia and Australian cricket fans expect certain standards of conduct from cricketers representing our country, and on this occasion these standards have not been met.
“All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of priority,” concluded Mr Sutherland.
On the board decision to appoint an Acting Captain, Cricket Australia Chairman, David Peever said:
“The Board of Cricket Australia has endorsed Tim Paine to step in as Acting Captain for the remainder of this Test.
“Both Steve and David will take to the field today under Tim’s captaincy.
“The Board fully supports the process for an immediate investigation into what occurred in Cape Town. We regard this as a matter of the utmost seriousness and urgency. We will ensure we have all information available to make the right decisions for Australian Cricket,” Mr Peever concluded.
Big Daddy
Guest
All the roar poster's and author's are working overtime to catch up with so many posts re this controversial subject. The keyboard warriors are working overtime on this.
Zane
Guest
Did Crowe, Pringle and the NZ leadership group meet over lunch to discuss the ball tampering plan like Smith and Co? Cheating and pre-planned cheating are two different things. Planning over lunch is premeditated cheating. Shameful.
13th Man
Guest
Langer would never ever let something like this happen. He'd be perfect in this situation. Turned WA cricket around from a basket case and can do the same for Australia. All 3 of JL, Dizzy or Ponting would be great choices though.
13th Man
Guest
Not much to choose from but going forward i'd say Mitch Marsh is the obvious choice as Vice. Current WA captain and talked up as a future captain and i'd suggest wasn't in the 'leadership group'.
13th Man
Guest
They had no choice, we cant have a cheat leading the side.
Mattyb
Guest
Moderation seems a major issue with this website,it seems both automated and lazy at the same time. And how can someone be titled a weekend editor? Assistant to the regional manager?
Cec
Guest
First time? Hmmm... https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.thesun.co.uk/sport/cricket/5895236/australia-ashes-cheat-storm-bancroft-sugar/amp/
Bakkies
Guest
Everyone in Australian Cricket should be thinking that. I just can't see things improving under Langer. Ponting hasn't done enough first class coaching which also means he hasn't spent much time with the younger coming. Base Ball League and the IPL is not enough. He should have got involved with Tasmania when the role came up.
JoM
Guest
SEN radio, Simon Katich I think it was, was saying the leadership group changes from tour to tour. When people are talking about the players you mentioned and the Maxwell thing they were the ODI leadership group not the test leadership group.
riddler
Guest
bakkies i hope u r wrong.. i want dizzy in oz.. he spoke brilliantly this morning when interviewed by sky.. i have had enough of the bogan/yobbo/cry baby management of the past few years..
riddler
Guest
a significant majority thankfully.. if we were all like bib.. oz would be a very unpleasant place..
Jackpott
Guest
And not premeditated.
Norvsta.
Guest
Bancroft, Smith and Warner should and probably are receiving a bonus for delibetately trying to get some media coverage for a crap form of cricket
Bobbo7
Guest
Of course he was. The rot starts at the top. And he had the nerve to complain about the crowds. Sure there was probably some poor crowd behaviour but it happens in Australia and it's not like Warner and co have not brought it on themselves.
Bobbo7
Guest
How stupid would you need to be to try this on in this series with all that has gone on before. The "leadership group" lack serious judgement making this call. But looking at the behaviour of the team generally is this any great surprise? Nothing would surprise me from Warner because he is a complete dickhead but I thought Smith above this. He really has trashed his reputation. It's not like ball tampering is anything new but to plan in a series so charged with behavioural issues and then get the new bloke to do it shows a complete lack of sense and moral judgement.
Connolly
Guest
He is responsible for the toxic culture in the team. He should be immediately removed from the dressing room and sent home. It starts at the top.
Bakkies
Guest
Yep and he is serving his notice as he said he will step down next year. Dizzy goes to Sussex and the England job is up next year at the same time. The ECB will want to correct their mistake when they turned him down for Bayliss.
Harish
Guest
Hope all the Cheats will be banned for life, though it won't erase the disgrace caused to cricket.
Bakkies
Guest
As poorly as their officials behaved in Port Elizabeth and the Rabada fiasco it wouldn't be fair to punish them over this.
Rob
Guest
I think this has been a cracking series DavSA. Plenty happening on and off the field. The Ashes was boring.