‘Only three knew’: Players sent home, Smith ‘distraught’

Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will be sent home from South Africa in disgrace for their roles in the cheating scandal.

Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland says their investigation has found no other player or staff knew about the ball-tampering plan during the Third Test last week.

None of the trio will play in the Fourth Test.

Further sanctions will be announced within the next 24 hours.

“Why did Steve Smith say ‘leadership group’? Are he and David Warner the only people in the group? Were Simon and Garfunkel a ‘group’?”
-Ross Stevenson

At an overnight press conference, Sutherland said he has spoken with Smith and described him as “distraught”.

Tim Paine has officially been appointed Test captain.

Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell will fly to South Africa to join the team.

Darren Lehmann remains coach, despite reports he was considering stepping down.

Former Australian cricket Simon O’Donnell told Ross and John one-year bans seemed appropriate.

“I think (Steve Smith) can play again, but I don’t think the Australian public would let him captain again.”

O’Donnell said the fallout, including the Smith-Bancroft press conference, made the cheating all the worse.

“The name ‘leadership group’ getting trotted out, and other names sullied… it was bordering on embarrassing.”

Click PLAY for full chat with Simon O’Donnell