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Sunday, March 25, 2018

Ball-tampering: Steve Smith, David Warner step down as Australia captain and vice-captain for rest of the third Test Vs South Africa @ Cape Tpwn


Australia captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner have stepped down from their positions for the rest of the third Test against South Africa a day after a ball-tampering incident.



Steve Smith said the team's "leadership group" had a plan, carried out by batsman Cameron Bancroft, to tamper with the ball to "get an advantage".

Tim Paine will be captain for the rest of the match, although Steve Smith and David Warner will continue to play.

The match is into its fourth day.

"This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands," said Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland.

"Cricket Australia and Australian cricket fans expect certain standards of conduct from cricketers representing our country, and on this occasion these standards have not been met.

"All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of priority,"

The ball-tampering incident took place on the third day Saturday March 24,2018 of the third Test in Cape Town - escalating the tension around what has been an ill-tempered four-match series, which is level at 1-1.

Television footage showed Bancroft take what he said was yellow tape out of his trouser pocket before rubbing the ball.

The 25-year-old revealed he had been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with attempting to change the condition of the ball, which is prohibited by Law 41.3, although the ICC - cricket's governing body - has yet to make any public comment on the incident.

Steve Smith said after play that it was a "big mistake" but that he would not stand down. He said the team's "leadership group" had spoken about the plan and "thought it was a way to get an advantage".

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) called for Smith "to be stood down immediately, along with any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness of, or involvement in, the plan"

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