Sydney, March 25 (TNS): Australia captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner on Sunday stepped down from their positions for the rest of the third Test against South Africa a day after admitting to ball tampering.
Smith said that the team’s “leadership group” had spoken about a plan to tamper with the ball, carried out by batsman Cameron Bancroft.
Tim Paine will be captain for the rest of the match, although Smith and Warner will continue to play.
The match is into its fourth day.
“This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands,” said Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland.
“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,”
The ball-tampering incident took place on the third day of the third Test in Cape Town – escalating the tension around what has been an ill-tempered series.
Television footage showed Bancroft take what he said was yellow tape out of his trouser pocket before rubbing the ball.
The 25-year-old has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with attempting to change the condition of the ball – which is prohibited by Law 41.3.
Smith said after play that it was a “big mistake” but that he would not stand down. He said the team’s “leadership group” had spoken about the plan and “thought it was a way to get an advantage”.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) called for Smith “to be stood down immediately, along with any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness of, or involvement in, the plan”.
Courtesy: BBC SPORTS
