A tearful Steve Smith on Thursday took full responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that has left the reputation of the Australian team in tatters. The Australian captain could not control his emotions during the interview and said, “If any good is to come from this it can be a lesson for others and I hope I can be a force for change."
Apologising for his mistake in the ball-tampering scandal, Smith said, "I don’t blame anyone. I’m the captain of the Australian team. It’s on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened last Saturday."
His teammate Cameron Bancroft also apologised for his role in the scandal. "I want to say that I'm very sorry ... I'm very disappointed and I regret my actions ... It is something I will regret for the rest of my life," the opener stated.
Earlier, Australian batsman David Warner apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal. The left-handed batsman has recently been banned for a year by Cricket Australia (CA) after his ball-tampering plans came into limelight during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.Warner took to Twitter to apologise to his fans saying he understood the distress that was caused due to the scandal.
He wrote: To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I'm currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. It's a stain on the game we all love and I've loved since I was a boy. 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.
After the slapping of a 12-month international and domestic ban on (now former) Australian cricket team captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, the Magellan Financial Group Ltd has cancelled its $24-million sponsorship deal with Cricket Australia.
Many other sponsors like Sanitarium, LG and Asics also dumped Steve Smith and David Warner from their sponsorship deals after the incident that rocked the sport in the country. However, the decision by Magellan suggests the financial impact of the episode will go to the core of Australia’s cricket team.
The Australian media reported that the Magellan sponsorship was worth Australian dollar 17-20 million.
According to Reuters, in a statement on Thursday, Magellan CEO Hamish Douglass said, “A conspiracy by the leadership of the Australian Men’s Test Cricket Team which broke the rules with a clear intention to gain an unfair advantage during the third test in South Africa goes to the heart of integrity. These recent events are so inconsistent with our values that we are left with no option but to terminate our ongoing partnership with Cricket Australia.”
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland came in defence of team's coach Darren Lehmann. According to Reuters, Sutherland said that Lehmann was as surprised as spectators while watching images on big screens showing Bancroft shamelessly cheating.
ALSO READ: Ball tampering row: BCCI bars Steve Smith, David Warner out of IPL 2018
"In Darren's defence, I do want to clarify that matter," Sutherland told reporters in response to a question about what Lehmann told 12th man Peter Handscomb via walky-talky before he ran on the field to pass the coach's message to Bancroft."
Reuters reported that Lehmann had 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." 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, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: Lehmann apologises, calls for change of Aussie's playing style
The Cricket Australia had previously announced that it has found Steve Smith, Warner, and Cameron Bancroft guilty in the ball-tampering scandal, and suspended the trio for the fourth and final Test against South Africa in Johannesburg, beginning on Friday.
The incident took place during South Africa's innings on Saturday afternoon when Bancroft was seen on television holding a small yellow object while rubbing the rough side of the ball, before hiding the object in his pocket, then inside his trousers.
Here are the top developments related to the ball-tampering scandal involving Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft:
1. Smith, Bancroft seek forgiveness: Banned Australian players Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, on Thursday, pleaded forgiveness for their role in the ball tampering scandal.
"I am sorry. I want to make it clear that as captain of the Australia Cricket team I take full responsibility. I made a serious error of judgment and I now understand the consequences," an emotional Smith told reporters in Sydney.
"I want to say that I'm very sorry ... I'm very disappointed and I regret my actions ... It is something I will regret for the rest of my life," Bancroft said.
2. David Warner apologises on Twitter:David Warner apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal on Thursday. The left-handed batsman has recently been banned for a year by Cricket Australia (CA) after his ball-tampering plans came into limelight during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
He tweeted:
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 29, 2018
3. Cricket Australia loses major sponsor Magellan: Magellan terminated its contract with the governing body over the ball-tampering scandal. The major sponsor had inked a three-year partnership in August 2017 for Australia's domestic Tests in a deal estimated at the time to be worth Australian dollar 20 million. It began with the recent Ashes series against England. 4. Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland defends team coach Lehmann: James Sutherland came in defence of team's coach Darren Lehmann. According to Reuters, Sutherland said that Lehmann was as surprised as spectators watched images on big screens showing Bancroft shamelessly cheating.
"In Darren's defence, I do want to clarify that matter," Sutherland told reporters in response to a question about what Lehmann told 12th man Peter Handscomb via walky-talky before he ran on the field to pass the coach's message onto Bancroft."
Reuters reported that Lehmann had 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." 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, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.
5. The right decision has been taken, says Sachin Tendulkar: Amid the ball-tampering controversy, Sachin Tendulkar believes that the right decision has been taken. Winning is important but the way you win is more important, he said in a tweet. It is important to uphold the integrity of the game, Sachin explains.ALSO READ: Even Sachin was accused of ball tampering: Shane Warne backs Smith; updates
6. IPL 2018 ban for Smith, Warner: Australian cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner have been banned from the upcoming edition of IPL starting from April 7 due to their involvement in the ball-tampering case with their national team.
"The CoA, in consultation with BCCI Acting President C K Khanna, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla and BCCI Acting Hon. Secretary Amitabh Choudhary, has decided to ban Smith and Warner with immediate effect from participation in IPL 2018," BCCI said in a statement on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: Ball tampering row: BCCI bars Steve Smith, David Warner out of IPL 2018
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hopes that the cricketers participating in the IPL hold the highest regard for the Spirit of Cricket and Code of Conduct for Players and match officials," it added.
The statement also clarified that the concerned IPL teams will be allowed replacement players.
Shukla told reporters that they were waiting for action by the ICC and the CA against these players before the BCCI decided on them.
On ball tampering issue, Ipl will wait for the decision of ICC and will act accordingly
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) March 25, 2018
7. Cricket Australia suspends Smith, Warner for 12 months: Four days after they were exposed, CA on Wednesday suspended disgraced captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner for 12 months each.
According to a CA statement, Smith and Bancroft were banned from leadership positions for 12 months after completing their one-year ban from international and domestic cricket.
Warner has, however, been banned from all leadership positions in Australian cricket for life.
Cricket Australia's investigation found Warner responsible for "development of a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball" and "instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan".
The southpaw was also charged with providing advice to a junior player on how to tamper with the ball "including demonstrating how it could be done".
Warner also mislead the Newlands match officials by concealing his knowledge of and involvement in the plan and did not voluntarily report his involvement.
Meanwhile, Smith's ban was based on him knowing of the plan but failing to take steps to prevent it. Further, the probe found that it was Smith who directed "that evidence of attempted tampering be concealed on the field of play" - in other words, Smith told Bancroft to hide the yellow object now known to be sandpaper in his trousers.
Smith was also found to have "mislead match officials and others regarding Bancroft's attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball" and "misleading public comments regarding the nature, extent and participants of the plan".
8. CA suspends Bancroft for 9 months: Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using what is believed to be a tape before attempting to hide the object down the front of his pants moments before the umpires seemingly inquired about the contents of his pockets. Cricket Australia suspended the opener for nine months after television footage later showed Bancroft rubbing the ball and then seemingly putting an object back in his pocket.
As soon as the incident was shown on the giant screen, the player was questioned in the presence of Smith by the on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Nigel Llong.
The CA Board, comprising Chairman David Peever, Earl Eddings, Bob Every, John Harnden, Tony Harrison, Jacquie Hey and Michelle Tredenick, as well as former Test players Mark Taylor and Michael Kasporwicz, convened on Wednesday to determine the sanctions imposed on the guilty trio.
Following the announcement, Cricket Australia has appointed wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine as the Test captain on a full-time basis.
9. Warner steps down as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad: Prior to the BCCI ban, David Warner stepped down as captain of the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“In light of recent events, David Warner has stepped down as captain of SunRisers Hyderabad. The new captain of the Team will be announced shortly. – K Shanmugam, CEO, SunRisers Hyderabad," tweeted Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“In light of recent events, David Warner has stepped down as captain of SunRisers Hyderabad. The new captain of the Team will be announced shortly.” – K.Shanmugam, CEO, SunRisers Hyderabad
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 28, 2018
Smith's deputy David Warner has already been stripped off the Australian vice-captaincy.
10. 'Staring at a loss of Rs 200 mn': Steve Smith and David Warner may be staring at a loss of Rs 200 million each arising from bans against playing for their national side and the cash-rich IPL, according to DNA. Steve Smith's central contract with CA is worth $1.5 million per annum and Warner's is $800,000. Apart from that, they are paid hefty amounts for each international match they feature in.
Morever, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland announced on Tuesday that Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will return home and will not play the fourth and final Test match against South Africa that starts on Friday.
Sutherland added that the players will be penalised with sanctions that will 'reflect the gravity' of the situation. Matthew Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns have been named their replacements. Tim Paine, a batsman with only 10 test caps, has been appointed as the new skipper.
Cricket Australia's preliminary investigation is said to have reached the conclusion that coach Darren Lehman wasn't aware of the plan to tamper with the red cherry and so he will continue to be with the side.
Meanwhile, former Australia captain Michael Clark seemed to question the board's assertion that only three of the players were in the know of the plans to tamper with the ball prior to the episode.
#WATCH LIVE: James Sutherland, CEO of Cricket Australia, addresses media in Johannesburg https://t.co/JxSGt7jtuO
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2018
Steve Smith stepped down as Rajasthan Royals captain: Steve Smith on Monday decided to step down from Rajasthan Royals' captaincy in the wake of the of severe backlash he has faced after admitting to ball tampering during the third Test against South Africa.
The decision was on expected lines the moment Cricket Australia indicated that harsher penalty was on cards for Smith and Co for their role in an episode that has shaken Australian sporting fraternity.
ALSO READ:'Brain fade' Steve Smith: Prolific but flawed Aussie cricket captain
"The incident in Cape Town has certainly disturbed the cricketing world. We have been in constant touch with the BCCI and taken their counsel. Furthermore, we have been in regular contact with Smith," Rajasthan Royals' head of cricket Zubin Bharucha had said.
"It's in the best interest of the Rajasthan Royals that Smith steps down as captain so the team can get ready for the start of the IPL without the ongoing distractions," he had added.
Ajinkya Rahane to replace Steve Smith: Right-hand Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane will replace Steve Smith in the upcoming season of the IPL. "Ajinkya Rahane has been an integral part of the Royals family for a long time now and he understands the culture and values of our team. We have absolutely no doubt that he will be a great leader of the Rajasthan Royals," Zubin Bharucha had said.
Welcoming Rahane as the captain of the team, Ranjit Barthakur, executive Chairman, Rajasthan Royals, had said: "Ajinkya Rahane has stepped up as a leader whenever he has been given the opportunity, be it for India or at Rajasthan Royals."
"We consider him the right candidate to lead the side this crucial season when the team is coming back to the IPL after two years. We wish him all the best, " Barthakur had added.
Rajasthan Royals appoint @ajinkyarahane88 as the captain for #IPL2018
“The game is bigger than any individual and we hold this thought close to our heart.”- Manoj Badale , the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals
Read more: https://t.co/qBQbgUFb2u pic.twitter.com/iy3sMVWlc1
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 26, 2018
Co-owner Manoj Badale had said: "Rajasthan Royals will do everything possible to protect the values and the integrity of the game. We agree with Steve's decision to step down as captain, and we are fortunate to have such a capable successor with Ajinkya Rahane. It is important that all cricket fans retain a balanced perspective on the situation.
"What happened in South Africa was clearly wrong, especially given that it appears to have been pre-meditated. That said, this will be a difficult time for Steve as well, given how much he cares about the game," Manoj Badale, the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals had said.
With agency inputs
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