Australia captain Steve Smith will be sent home from the tour of South Africa for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, but coach Darren Lehmann will remain in charge, Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday.
Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, the player caught on camera attempting to doctor the ball with a piece of tape, will all return home.
The trio can expect “significant” sanctions against them once the board’s investigation is complete, with a verdict expected in the next 24 hours, according to Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland.
However, Lehmann had no role to play in the scandal and will continue in his position as head coach, Sutherland announced.
Smith had said in his press conference on Saturday that the “leadership group” in the Australian camp knew about the ball-tampering. As things stand, the so-called leadership group only includes Smith and Warner, unless Cricket Australia is counting Bancroft as a leader.
Obviously, Twitter had a lot to say about it, with a lot of disbelief over the fact that Lehmann did not know in spite of being caught on camera relaying a message to the dugout via a walkie-talkie:
As for Cricket Australia’s delay in announcing the sanctions for Smith, Warner and Bancroft, some had a possible explanation:
With inputs from AFP
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!