One of Cricket Australia’s biggest sponsors, fund manager Magellan, on Thursday tore up its contract with the governing body over the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the game.
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It is a heavy price to pay for the players, especially Smith, the world’s number one ranked Test batsman who will now lose a year of his career.
“The CA Board understands and shares the anger of fans and the broader Australian community about these events”, Cricket Australia Chairman, David Peever said in a statement.
Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith has faced a large crowd of media in Sydney after returning from South Africa to answer questions about the ball-tampering scandal.
“Through this whole experience and whirlwind few days it’s been obvious to see how much the game means to Australia and the public, and we are representations of that. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket”, Warner said via a statement on Twitter.
“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with family, friends, and trusted advisers. I want to show how sorry I am, at the end of the day they are my actions and I am accountable”, he said.
Cameron Bancroft, who was caught red-handed attempting to tamper the ball with a yellow substance, what now appears to be a sandpaper, has been handed a nine-month ban.
The statement added: “Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft will not be considered for team leadership positions until a minimum of 12 months after the conclusion of their respective suspensions from global and domestic cricket”.
“(Cricket Australia’s head of integrity) Iain Roy in his investigation found that to be the fact.”I am satisfied that Darren Lehmann was not involved and didn’t know anything about the plan”, Sutherland added.
Contrary to popular belief, Lehmann was found not guilty of any wrongdoing and CA chief executive James Sutherland said that he will continue in his post.
Warner and Smith have also been banned from playing in this year’s Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition.
Smith and Bancroft faced five charges under Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct, while Warner faced eight charges.
That report was backed up by a source who told AFP that Smith was sidetracked when he spoke with Warner and Bancroft in the dressing room.
Part of the findings against Smith and Bancroft were that they had mislead both the umpires on the field of play, and the public in a press conference as to the “the nature, extent and participants of the plan”. The replacements will be made available to the two teams.
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“We have to look at how we go about that, as a coach and support staff and playing group, and make the game better for everyone to play and enjoy watching us play”.
