Disgraced Australian cricketers Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will soon return home from South Africa as the fallout continues from the ball-tampering bombshell.
Cricket Australia (CA) will finalise sanctions for Smith, Warner and Bancroft within the next 24 hours. The trio have been reported for breaching CA’s code of conduct.
Darren Lehmann will continue as coach and has not offered his resignation, while Tim Paine has been appointed captain for the fourth Test against the Proteas.
CA will conduct an independent review into the team’s conduct and culture.
More on ball-tampering sanctions
» Australia’s on-field leaders have been banished, but this is just the beginning
» Smith, Warner, and Bancroft to be sent home as Lehmann found innocent
» “Australian cricket is in deep s***”: Michael Clarke not satisfied with CA response
» Matt Renshaw must replace Cameron Bancroft permanently
Chief executive James Sutherland insists Smith, Warner and Bancroft were the only members of the touring party who were aware of a premeditated plan to illegally scuff the ball.
“No other players or support staff had prior knowledge. This includes Darren Lehmann, who despite inaccurate media reports, has not resigned from his position,” Sutherland said.
“He (Lehmann) will continue to coach the Australian men’s team under his current contract (which runs until the end of the 2019 Ashes).”
Sutherland noted his organisation is contemplating “significant sanctions” for Smith, Warner and Bancroft.
“Once the investigation is concluded, sanctions will be announced,” he said.
“These sanctions will reflect .. the damage it has done to the standing of Australian cricket.
“I am angry and disappointed. It is not a good day for Australian cricket.”
Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell are en route to South Africa as replacement players for the fourth Test that starts on Friday.
cuw
Guest
news from India that both are banned from IPL 2018 !!!
cuw
Guest
as the former England wicketkeeper has said - try changing the condition of the ball without the knowledge of the bowlers ! = suicide LOL more interesting for me will be - now that the 2 big boys have been banned for one year - if their respective IPL franchises will also follow and ban them and not pay them their huge US$ salaries? yes - both have resigned from the captaincy - BUT , if they are banned in aussy , surely that means it shud be a worldwide ban? when footy players or rugger players are banned for country - they cant play for clubs. else the ban will be a joke - coz they could just go on and make a hell of a lot of money playing in the T20 leagues all over !!!
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Sutherland isn't the bloke conducting this investigation. Cricket Australia's Head of Integrity, Iain Roy and High-Performance Manager, Pat Howard were the ones to conduct the inquiry. Sutherland is there to deliver the findings and announce CA's immediate response. Having said that, there still seems to be many unanswered questions. I believe CA need to find and deliver those answers to the fans who feel ashamed and betrayed by these so-called leaders.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I wonder if by this statement of only three players being involved, James Sutherland has now joined the leadership group? In any case, has to be the wrong bloke to be conducting this enquiry.
Jameswm
Guest
Whether or not Lehmann knew beforehand: 1. What about the walkie talkie episode? 2. If they want to change the team culture and win back the public, surely he’s not the right person to be in charge.