A key finding was that Bancroft had in fact used sandpaper to rough up the ball in the third test at Newlands, and not sticky tape as he stated, adding an extra element of premeditation to the actions and re-opening questions as to whether this was an isolated incident.
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CA chief executive officer James Sutherland stated that Lehmann had no prior knowledge of the offence.
Lehmann has been under severe pressure since footage of Bancroft trying to scuff up the ball with sandpaper and subsequently flinging it inside his pants emerged.
While Smith can’t captain Australia until at least his ban expires, Warner will never be captain or vice captain again and could be shut-out of the national set-up even after his ban has expired.
“I’ve been charged with attempting to change the condition of the ball”, Bancroft was quoted as saying by CA Twitter handle.
The incident that led to the entire controversy and the subsequent suspensions took place during South Africa’s innings on Saturday afternoon when Bancroft was captured on TV cameras holding a foreign object while rubbing the ball, before hiding the object in his pocket, then inside his pants.
Smith broke the news to his teammates soon after he learnt he would be banished for a year. Many of them struggled to hide how shattered they were. As for the on-going series against South Africa, Tim Paine has been named as the captaincy replacement for Smith.
Paine, now ratified as the nation’s 46th Test skipper, is deeply conflicted at what is normally a moment of vast pride and elation.
In a press release, CA confirmed that Smith and Warner have been banned for 12 months for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal.
Overseas assignments, such as English county cricket and the Indian Premier League, appear to be theoretically permitted.
Following the fiasco, Smith and Warner stood down as captain and vice-captain, respectively.
As a punishment, they will also serve 100 hours of “voluntary service in community cricket”. “He played the game with great integrity”, he explained. It is unclear if the opener will be welcome back in the dressing room.
All three players were on their way home on Wednesday.
Warner, a divisive figure in the world game, has become the focus of Australian media, who blame him for the scandal.
‘To hear that the Australian cricket team had been involved in premeditated cheating is something that is embarrassing, ‘ Warne wrote for News Ltd. It means they miss the India series and have little time to get ready for the World Cup.
Smith said after the Test that the Australia team’s “leadership group” had been aware of the plan.
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The role of head coach Darren Lehmann has come under scrutiny, but he is set to continue in his position after CA’s investigation identified Smith, Warner and Bancroft as the only members of the touring party with knowledge of the ball-tampering plan.
