Australia’s David Warner, is seated on the team bus after the arrival of the Australian team to OR Tambo International International airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. | Photo Credit: AP

The Australian vice-captain has been identified as the chief plotter of the ball tampering incident in Capetown in South Africa
Banned Australian opener David Warner on Thursday, March 29, 2018, apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, saying he put a “stain on the game he loved as a boy”.
Warner has been identified as the chief plotter of the infamous incident in South Africa, leading to one-year bans on him and captain Steve Smith. Both the players were also barred from this year’s IPL.
“To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket,” Warner, who was Australia’s vice-captain posted on social media.
“I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. Its a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy.”
The 31-year-old Warner, who can still play club cricket, said he needs time to reassess his future.
“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days,” he added.
Following Cricket Australia’s investigation into the scandal, it has come to light that Smith and Cameron Bancroft knew what they were getting into but it was Warner who developed the “plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball”.
Bancroft, who has been handed a nine-month suspension, was caught on camera pulling out sand paper to tamper the ball.
The CA has also made it clear that while Smith still has a chance to captain Australia one year after the end of his ban, Warner will never be considered for a leadership role.
The dangerous opener has been charged for instructing “a junior player to carry out a plan to take steps to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper”.
All the three indicted players have also been ordered to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.
However, CA has cleared coach Darren Lehmann of any wrongdoing, insisting that he was not aware of the plan hatched by the trio.

Article courtesy – The Hindu of 30.03.18

• With 4014 runs in 114 games@40.54 (strike rate: 142.13), David Warner — who has played in the tournament from 2009 to 2017 — is the top overseas run-scorer in the IPL, and fifth in the list overall. He has hit 36 fifties and three hundreds.
• Warner, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad, was the top runscorer in IPL 2015 & 2017.
• In the 2016 IPL, Warner slammed 848 runs in 17 games @ 60.57, including nine fifties and one hundred,to lead SRH to the title.
• Steve Smith has scored 1703 runs in 69 games in the IPL, in which he has played from 2012 to 2017. He’s played for the Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant.
• Smith was the fourth topscorer in IPL 2017. He led Pune Supergiants to the final, where they lost to Mumbai Indians.
POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS:
Joe Root (England): The England captain can replace Smith at Rajasthan Royals. Root went unsold in the auction.
Martin Guptill (New Zealand): The leading run-scorer in T20Is with 2271 runs is an ideal candidate to replace Warner. Wasn’t picked in the auction, to everyone’s surprise.
Luke Ronchi (New Zealand): Has hit form in the PSL, where he was player of the tournament.
Hashim Amla (South Africa): Has hit two IPL 100s. Can get a second chance after going unsold.
Shaun Marsh (Australia): One of the most successful IPL openers. Won the first-ever Orange Cap. Can partner Shikhar Dhawan at the top for Hyderabad.
NET LOSS
Smith and Warner will now miss out on more than Rs 20 crore each by not playing for Australia and IPL over the next 12 months. This figure excludes amount lost in sponsorships.
Smith and Warner have lost IPL contracts worth A$2.4 million each. Smith was ‘retained’ by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 12 crore, while Warner too was held back by SRH for Rs 12.5 crore.

Article courtesy – Times of  India of 29.03.18

Disgraced Australia skipper Steve Smith and senior batsman David Warner were on Wednesday banned from toplevel cricket for a year over a cheating scandal that has rocked the sport and dragged their side’s reputation through the mud. Both players have also been ejected from this year’s IPL, losing contracts worth nearly $2 million each.
A statement from Cricket Australia (CA) said Smith and Warner had been suspended from “all international and domestic cricket” while opening batsman Cameron Bancroft has been banned for nine months over the ball-tampering incident during the third Test in South Africa.

A Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman said the players could still play at club level in Australia or in other countries. The CA statement said Smith and Bancroft would not be considered for team leadership positions until a minimum of 12 months after the end of their suspensions. All three players will also be required to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.
CA chief executive James Sutherland said: “I am satisfied that the sanctions in this case properly reflect a balance between the need to protect the integrity and reputation of the game and the need to maintain the possibility of redemption for the individuals involved, all of whom have learned difficult lessons through these events.” He said the national body would provide details of an independent review “into the conduct and culture of our Australian men’s team in due course”.
‘Warner will not captain Oz in future’
Declared the ‘plotter-in-chief’ in the balltampering scandal, David Warner will never be considered for captaincy after serving his oneyear ban, Cricket Australia has clarified. Following CA’s investigation into the infamous incident in Cape Town, it has come to light that Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft knew what they were getting into but it was Warner who developed the “plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball”. Smith still has a slim chance to captain Australia again but Warner will not be considered at all. “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 international and domestic cricket,” said CA. “Any consideration of future leadership would be conditional on acceptance by fans and the public, form and authority among the playing group. David Warner will not be considered for team leadership positions in the future,” it added.

Lehmann cleared after cover-up claims
Under-fire Australia coach Darren Lehmann had no knowledge of a ball-tampering plot by his two most senior players and allegations that he then led a cover-up are false, CA said. Former players have been calling for Lehmann’s head after television footage showed him sending a message out onto the field before Bancroft dropped the piece of sandpaper he was clandestinely using to rough up the ball down his trousers. But Sutherland said Lehmann was as surprised as the thousands of spectators in Cape Town when images showed Bancroft cheating.
“In Darren’s defence, I do want to clarify that matter,” Sutherland said on what Lehmann told 12th man Peter Handscomb via walky talky before he ran on the field to pass the coach’s message onto Bancroft. “He sent a message to say: ‘What the hell is going on?’ He didn’t use ‘hell’, he used another word. Darren wasn’t involved and didn’t know of the plan.” Sutherland also finally conceded “cheating” is an appropriate word to use to describe the scandal. AGENCIES
COACH WANTS FORGIVENESS
Johannesburg: Australia coach Darren Lehmann has apologised to the public and called for forgiveness for the “grave mistake”
made by Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. He promised a change in approach to the game from Australia, including boorish behaviour and playing contrary to the spirit of the game.
An emotional Lehmann said the banned players, were “not bad people” and called for them to be given a second chance.
“What happened on Saturday is not something that is acceptable from the Australian cricket team,” Lehmann told the Australian media. “There is a human side of this. These are young men and I hope people will give them a second chance. Their health is extremely important to us.”
CRICKET AUSTRALIA’S CHARGES IN FULL
STEVE SMITH
• Knew of a potential plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball
• Failed to take steps to seek to prevent the development and implementation of that plan
• Directed that evidence of attempted tampering be concealed on the field of play
• Sought to mislead match officials and others regarding Bancroft’s attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball
• Made misleading public comments regarding the nature, extent and participants of the plan
DAVID WARNER
• Developed a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball
• Instructed a junior player to take steps to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper
• Provided advice to a junior player regarding how a ball could be artificially altered including demonstrating how it could be done
• Failed to take steps to seek to prevent the development and/or implementation of the plan
• Failed to report his knowledge of the plan at any time prior to or during the match
• Misled match officials through the concealment of his knowledge of and involvement in the plan
• Failed to voluntarily report his knowledge of the plan after the match
CAMERON BANCROFT
• Knew of the existence of, and was being party to, the plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper
• Carried out instructions to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball
• Sought to conceal evidence of his attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball
• Sought to mislead match officials and others regarding his attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball
• Made misleading public comments regarding the nature, extent, implementation and participants of the plan
WHAT WILL THE THREE MISS?
• The fourth Test against South Africa, and five ODIs and one Twenty20 on a mini tour of England from on 13 June.
• Under the Future Tours Programme, Australia could play India, SA and Lanka between Oct 2018 and Jan 2019.
• They will all be eligible to play in the 2019 World Cup from 30 May to 14 July.
• The next Ashes series is also scheduled for the summer of 2019.
• Smith and Bancroft will not be considered for team leadership positions until a minimum of 12 months after the conclusion of their respective suspensions from international and domestic cricket. Any consideration of future leadership would be conditional on acceptance by fans and the public, form and authority among the playing group. Warner will not be considered for team leadership in the future.

Article Courtesy – Times of India of 29.03.18

TD Paine who will lead Australia against South Africa at Johannesburg, the final test which starts today will become the 31^st wicket keeper to lead a team in tests in the annals of test cricket. The career figures of the thirty captain wicket keepers are tabulated below.  The list does not contain the players who have deputized as captain in the middle of the test or remainder of the test.

TD Paine will also become the fifth Australian wicket keeper batsman to lead Australia in tests. Others are – WL Mudroch, JM  Blackham, BN Jarman  and AC Gichrist.

In an emotional media briefing, Lehmann says his decision is voluntary.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann said on Thursday he would step down after this week’s Test match against South Africa, partly because of abuse his family received over the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the sport.
In an emotional media briefing, Mr. Lehmann said his decision was voluntary.
“This will be my last Test as head coach of the Australian cricket team,” he said. “Saying goodbye to the players was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.”
Mr. Lehmann, who was not was due to leave the job until after the 2019 Ashes series in England, is quitting despite being cleared of any role in the ball-tampering scandal.

Article Courtesy – The  Hindu of 30.03.18

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith breaks down as he speaks to the media in Sydney after being sent home from South Africa following a ball tampering scandal.

Distraught former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith accepted full responsibility on Thursday for the ball-tampering scandal that has shaken the sport, breaking down in tears while denying it had ever happened before.
Cricket Australia have banned Smith and David Warner from all international and domestic cricket for a year, while opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was exiled for nine months over attempted cheating during the third Test in South Africa.
Smith, a golden boy compared to Donald Bradman for his batting exploits, was a broken man at an emotional press conference on his arrival back in Sydney from Johannesburg.
“I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgment and I understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership,” he said, choking back tears.
“It was a failure of leadership, of my leadership, I’ll do anything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it has caused,” he added, breaking down for the first time. If any good can come of this, as an example to others, I can be a force for change. I know I’ll regret this for the rest of my life, I’m absolutely gutted,” he said
“I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness. I’ve been so privileged and honoured to represent my country, and captain the Australian cricket team. Cricket is the greatest game in the world. It’s been my life and I hope it can be again. I’m sorry and I’m absolutely devastated.”
Smith said, to his knowledge, it was the first time it had happened and he was not about to offload the blame onto Warner.
“I don’t blame anyone,” he said. “I’m the captain of the Australian cricket team, it happened on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened in Cape Town last Saturday.”
Impact on parents
The final question he was able to field before he broke down for the last time and was ushered out of the room with his father Peter was about what he would tell cricket-loving children.
“Anytime you are thinking of making a questionable decision, think about who you are affecting, you’re affecting your parents,” he said.
“To see the way my old man’s been,” he sobbed.
“(To see) My mum it hurts. I can’t remember what I was saying. I just want to say sorry for the pain I have caused to the Australian public. I am truly sorry,” he concluded fighting back sobs.
Smith was jeered as he made his way through Johannesburg airport on Wednesday surrounded by police and media with concerns over his mental state in the current rabid climate and coach Darren Lehmann calling for all three men to be “given a second chance”.
Former great Shane Warne offered the trio an olive branch despite days of a harsh and judgmental Australian public baying for blood.“What the public wants to see is change. They want to see you be a better person,” he wrote in a column for the Sydney Daily Telegraph. “They’ll support you if they see that, and they’ll forgive you.

Article Courtesy – The Hindu of 30.03.18

Cameron Bancroft and SPD Smith at the Press Conference

Only Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were involved in ball-tampering during Australia’s third test match against South Africa, according to James Sutherland, CA Chief Executive.
The embattled trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will be sent home in disgrace on Wednesday as Cricket Australia came down heavily on their errant captain, his deputy and young opener for orchestrating a ball-tampering conspiracy against South Africa, sullying the image of a cricket-loving nation.
However, chief coach Darren Lehmann has been given a clean chit for the time being, as Cricket Australia concluded its preliminary investigations on Tuesday.
Tim Paine will captain Australia in the final Test match with reinforcements in middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell along with openers Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.
“All three players (Smith, Warner, Bancroft) that have been reported will leave tomorrow [Wednesday]. Renshaw, Maxwell and Burns will arrive in South Africa in the next 24 hours,” CA chief executive James Sutherland told a packed media conference here this evening.
“Time Paine has been officially appointed the captain of the Test team,” he added.
Sutherland informed that apart from the trio, no other player in the group had any prior knowledge about the wrongdoing. “Contrary to inaccurate reports, Darren has not resigned. He had no prior knowledge,” confirmed Sutherland.
Questioned whether Lehmann offered to resign, Sutherland replied: “As far as I am aware no he has not, at least not to me.”
“No other players or support staff had prior knowledge and this includes coach Darren Lehmann who had no prior knowledge. He will continue to coach the national team under his current contract,” said the former first-class player.
He made it clear that tough sanctions awaited the trio after the full inquiry is complete.
“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 Australian cricket. Urgency must be balanced with due process. 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,” he added.
Sutherland said that he was angry but maintained that it was “an isolated incident of significant concern.”
“I share the disappointment of the fans. We have had a board meeting today, Cricket Australia share these same feelings. I want to apologise to all Australians that this happened, particularly to all the kids that love cricket and idolise the players.”
He said that he is aware of the impact of the damage done by the trio and corrective measures will be taken. “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. We must do everything we can to repair it.”