There has been no doubt about the fact that along with the players, the other big name involved in the ball-tampering saga is the coach Darren Lehman who took over the team in 2013 once Mickey Arthur was sacked as Australia coach. However, the reports of The Guardian suggest the alleged ‘Leadership Group’ of the Australian team doesn’t consider anyone else than David Warner and Steve Smith. The three bowlers who bring balance to the Group on other days are Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon – all of whom are enraged since they had no idea about a plan like this.
The Sydney Morning Herald believes that Warner has masterminded the conspiracy for this ball-tampering fiasco, and what adds a bit of spice is that when during the lunch break at Newlands on Day 3 of the third Test, Quinton de Kock was toying with the Australians.
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Addressing the media in Johannesburg, Cricket Australia chief, James Sutherland started by apologizing to the followers of cricket all-around the globe along with Cricket South Africa (CSA) as the series hasn’t gone the way it was expected. Revealing the preliminary finding, he said, “Preliminary findings of the probe are out, though the probe isn’t over. The findings are – Prior knowledge was with David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft only. No one knew about the plan other than these three. Darren Lehmann was not in the know-how and will continue as the coach of the team.”
Sutherland: In the next 24 hours we will be in a position to announce sanctions.
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 27, 2018
He further added, “The three players have been reported from their act. Once the investigation is completed in the next 24 hours, the sanctions will be announced accordingly. All three, Warner, Smith and Bancroft will be sent back to Australia on Wednesday. The replacements will come in within 24 hours.”
Sutherland: This is a reminder to us of how AUS cricket fans want their cricket players to behave. They want to be proud. This situation is extraordinarily bad for Australian cricket
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 27, 2018
CA’s chief also clarified that Tim Paine will be leading the Australian squad in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa. Talking about the apt replacements, Sutherland said,“Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell will replace the three players charged in the Test squad.”
Sutherland: Steve Smith is distraught
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 27, 2018
Speaking on the moral ground Sutherland made it clear that all the Australian cricketers need to play in the spirit of the game. He also said that winning is important for them but not at the cost of the rules. He also acknowledged the fact that this a reminder for them that how the Australians fans want their cricket to be. Expressing his anger, Sutherland said that the situation is bad and it’s not a good day for Australian cricket.
Tim Paine named Australia's 46th Test captain. READ MORE: https://t.co/w8Epi3ztj2 pic.twitter.com/mPFdZNh2bL
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 27, 2018
Smith had already been suspended for the final Test at The Wanderers by International Cricket Council CEO David Richardson on Sunday, while Bancroft was fined and handed three demerit points to his disciplinary record. All three players now face lengthy bans from international cricket.
