Darren Lehmann will remain as Australia head coach after the investigation into ball-tampering during the recent Cape Town Test concluded that just three players from the entire set-up were involved.
Steve Smith, the Australia captain, his deputy David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft have all been sent home in disgrace and told to expect “significant sanctions” in the next 24 hours for their roles in the plot in which the latter was caught scuffing the ball with a piece of grit-covered sticky-tape. All three have been charged with “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game” and are expected to be face lengthy suspensions, with Smith and Warner also likely to be stripped of their leadership roles when the punishment is announced.
James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, stopped short of saying Smith could not lead the national team again and confirmed Tim Paine will be captain for the series finale against South Africa in Johannesburg starting on Friday – the wicketkeeper will be the 46th man to hold the position.
The findings Sutherland announced on Tuesday evening left many baffled that so few were privy to the plan – not least since Smith spoke of the “leadership group” in the squad having been its architects during his mea culpa; Bancroft, a junior player in the side, was merely the player who volunteered to carry it out.
Lehmann’s role has been scrutinised after he was seen speaking via a walkie-talkie to the 12th man, Peter Handscomb, moments after Bancroft’s actions were picked up by the cameras. The reserve then delivered a message to his team-mate, who stuffed the sticky‑tape down his trousers soon after.
But Sutherland said: “No other players or support staff had prior knowledge and this includes Darren Lehmann who, despite inaccurate media reports, has not resigned. He will continue to coach the Australian men’s team under his current contract [until after the 2019 Ashes].”
This assertion drew suggestions of a damage-limitation exercise, with Smith’s predecessor as captain, Michael Clarke, tweeting: “To [sic] many reputations on the line for the full story not to come out. Cape Town change room is a very small place! The truth, The full story, Accountability and Leadership – until the public get this Australian cricket is in deep shit!”
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, offered: “Only 3 people knew .......... #MyArse”, while the former wicketkeeper Matt Prior said: “Obviously the only people in the ‘leadership group’ were Smith and Warner? #notsosure”.
Kevin Pietersen (@KP24)
Lehmann never knew -
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