Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera when he was tampering the ball against South Africa on Saturday. Then he along with Australian captain Steve Smith apologised.
Captain Steve Smith accepted most of the responsibility. He said it was a decision that the team came to as a collective. The coaches were not involved with this.
"It was the leadership group's idea," said Smith. "Poor choice and we deeply regret our actions. The coaches weren't involved. It was purely the leadership group who came up with this. I am not proud of what's happened. It's not within the spirit of the game. My integrity, the team's integrity and the leadership group's integrity has come into question. It won't happen again.”
Cricket Australia (CA) CEO James Sutherland said, CA were extremely disappointed and shocked. CA are sending two officials to South Africa to investigate the ball-tampering issue.
CA boss James Sutherland responds to ball tampering bombshell.
According to Cricket Australia, Australia captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner have stood down from their respective leadership roles for the remainder of the third Test in Cape Town.
Wicketkeeper Tim Paine will act as captain at Newlands, with both Smith and Warner taking the field on Sunday.
