Only Smith, Warner & Bancroft Knew of Tampering Plan, Not Lehmann

james sutherland steve smith david warner

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has clarified that only Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft had previous knowledge of the ball-tampering plan during the Cape Town Test against South Africa.

Speaking to the media in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Sutherland also clarified that Darren Lehmann had no knowledge of the plan and would remain Australia’s coach.

The key finding of our investigation so far is that prior knowledge of the deed was limited to Steve Smith and David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Darren Lehmann did not have prior knowledge of the tampering, he will continue as coach of the Australian team.

James Sutherland, CEO, Cricket Australia

All three players are being sent home from the South Africa tour with the CA chief assuring that said “significant punishments” would be handed out to the trio after a more thorough investigation. He has given a 24-hour timeline for a decision on the sanctions for all three.

We are contemplating significant sanctions in each case of the three players. These sanctions will reflect the gravity of what occurred and the damage it has done to Australian cricket. Urgency must be balanced with due process.

James Sutherland, CEO, Cricket Australia

Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell will replace the trio for the final Test, with Tim Paine continuing as captain.

Sutherland however did make it clear that tough sanctions awaited the trio.

We have conducted an investigation, we have made reports and sanctions will be issued tomorrow. They will be significant. They will reflect the gravity of the situation. I would not underestimate the damage this does to the game. What we are about as an organisation is cricket. If this has damaged the ability of cricket then it’s a sorry state and we must do everything we can to repair it

James Sutherland, CEO, Cricket Australia

Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft found themselves in the middle of the ball-tampering controversy when Bancroft was caught on camera tampering with the ball during the third day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

As a direct consequence, the ICC banned Smith for one Test while Bancroft was docked 75 percent of his match fee. Both Smith and vice-captain David Warner stood down from their roles for the remainder of the Cape Town Test.

While speaking to the media after Bancroft was reprimanded by the ICC, Smith revealed that the players' "leadership group" came up with the plan to tamper with the ball using a piece of yellow adhesive tape. He, however, refused to name other players, and denied that coach Darren Lehmann was involved.

David Warner has reportedly been facing severe backlash within the team itself, with some of the players demanding he be thrown out of the team’s hotel. Reports also suggested that it was Warner who came up with the idea to tamper with the ball and made the suggestion to Bancroft. Steve Smith, however, was consulted before the team stepped onto the field.