The cheating scandal has reduced Australian cricket to a sombre rubble, with coach Darren Lehmann resigning in tears a day after Steve Smith was sacked as captain.
Earlier in the week, Lehmann had vowed to stay on, only to front shattered players on Friday and tell them he was quitting.
"Speaking to the players and saying goodbye, telling them the news. That was the toughest thing I've ever had to do," Lehmann said.
An emotional Darren Lehmann. Source: AAP
"I don't think I've slept since Saturday to be perfectly honest, couple hours here and there."
Footage of Smith repeatedly breaking down at a press conference at Sydney airport convinced Lehmann the time was right to go.
"I really felt for Steve, as I saw him crying in front of the media, and all the players are really hurting," he said.
Lehmann was set to step down when his current contract expired at the end of the 2019 Ashes, but the cheating scandal forced a rethink.
Lehmann read a prepared statement and took few questions, struggling to keep his composure.
"After viewing Steve and Cameron's hurting it's only fair that I make this decision.
"This is the right thing to do.
"I'm ultimately responsible for the culture of the team and I've been thinking about my position for a while."
"I had no prior knowledge of the (ball-tampering) incident and do not condone what happened at all. But good people can make mistakes."
Lehmann overlooked 2015 World Cup glory and Ashes series wins when asked to nominate his proudest moment as coach.
"The way we dealt with Phillip Hughes," Lehmann sobbed.
"We're only playing a game."
Lehmann became particularly emotional when thanking his wife Andrea and four children for their support.
"My family and I have copped a lot of abuse over the last week and it's taken its toll on them," he said.
"Life on the road means a lot of time away from our loved ones.
'Forgive these young men'
At his previous spokesman, Lehmann suggested the Australian team should try to emulate the style of New Zealand.
"I hope the team rebuilds from this and the Australian public find it in their hearts to forgive these young men and get behind the XI who are going to take the field tomorrow."
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland has addressed reporters in Johannesburg, insisting he is not stepping down.
"What's happened over the last few days has only strengthened my resolve," Sutherland said.
The team trained at the Wanderers on Thursday, hitting the nets for the first time since the ball-tampering ploy triggered nation-wide outrage and forever changed the lives of Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
