Ball tampering: Referee flagged up, du Plessis suspected foul play; updates

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 ball-tampering scandal involving the then Australian cricket team captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft saw another revelation on Friday, with reports emerging that the foul play should have come as no surprise. According to an AFP report, a match referee had, way back in 2016, warned Smith and Warner of "being involved in a ball-tampering incident" in the domestic Sheffield Shield.

The report came after Smith and Warner were stripped of their captaincy and vice-captaincy of the Australian cricket team and banned for a year from the sport after being caught up in a plot to alter the condition of the ball on the third day of their team’s third test match against South Africa in Cape Town.

Daryl Harper said the pair were not engaging in fair play while representing New South Wales in a match against Victoria in November 2016, according to an email he sent to Cricket Australia's match referee and umpire selection manager Simon Taufel, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

"When David Warner repeatedly bounced his returns in to (NSW wicket-keeper) Peter Nevill on the first day, the umpires appealed to Smith to support their calls for fair play," the former Australian Test umpire reportedly wrote in the email, AFP reported.

On Thrsady, a tearful Darren Lehmann said he would quit as coach of the scandal-tainted Australia cricket team after the fourth and final test match of the ongoing series in South Africa.

Saying goodbye to players was the toughest thing he had ever done and he felt really bad for Smith, Lehmann said.

"I really felt for Steve and, as you see, I'm crying in front of the media. All the players are really hurting," he said. 
 

Earlier, Steve Smith on Thursday took full responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that 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." 

Disgraced Australian Cricket Vice Captain David Warner, second right, arrives with his wife Candice, second left, and their children at Sydney Airport | Photo: AP/PTI

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.
Australian batsman David Warner also apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal.

Warner took to Twitter to apologise to his fans, saying he understood the distress that was caused due to the scandal.





Apart from that, questions about Cricket Australia's chief James Sutherland resigning from his post was scrapped off by the chief himself. James Sutherland, during a press conference, pressed on the fact that he was not resigning from his post. 

"I'm not resigning. What has happened the last few days have only strengthened my resolve to ensure that the Australian cricket and the Australian cricket team get back on track and back in a place where it has not only the full respect but the pride of the Australian community," Sutherland said in a press conference.

ALSO READ: Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland not resigning 

Moreover, when asked about the probable suspicion that might have occurred during the game, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said he did suspect that Australians may have been engaging in ball-tampering plans before the third Test in Cape Town, reported cricket.com.au

According to the news website, Plessis said, "I thought so, yes. The series the ball has been reversing quite a bit. I joked about it this last Test match, (saying) I've never seen so many guys put up their hand to open the batting."

Multiple players from the cricket fraternity had mixed reactions to the measures taken against the disgraced trio. Indian players like Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar came in support of Smith saying that measures taken by the Cricket Australia against the trio were 'harsh' and raised questions whether the imposed sanctions on Smith and Warner paid the price for revolting against Cricket Australia on pay hike issue.

Former Indian player, Sachin Tendulkar also urged the media to 'step back and give them space' as they suffered from the ongoing scandal. He tweeted saying: They are regretting and hurting and will have to live with the consequences of their act. Spare a thought for their families as they have much to endure along with the players. Time for all of us to take a step back and give them some space.

Here are the top developments related to the ball-tampering scandal involving Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft:

1.Referee warned about Smith, Warner in 2016:  

Referee Daryl Harper said, "When David Warner repeatedly bounced his returns in to (NSW wicket-keeper) Peter Nevill on the first day, the umpires appealed to Smith to support their calls for fair play," the former Australian Test umpire reportedly wrote in the email, revealed AFP.

"They weren't encouraged by his response. I assisted the umpires on the second morning by suggesting to (NSW coach) Trent Johnston that CA didn't need an issue with the national captain being involved in a ball-tampering incident." Harper also added that Smith "gave the impression that he wasn't happy to be playing the Sheffield Shield match".

"This was at the same time that the South African captain (Faf du Plessis) was under scrutiny (for ball tampering) and before he had been charged," said Harper, as reported by AFP.

"As it transpired, there were no further errant throws for the final three days of the game from either team. Steve's participation in the post-match meeting was quite limp, and not as I would expect from our national captain." Cricket Australia has announced a review into team culture in the wake of the South Africa ball-tampering scandal.

2. Proteas captain suspected the engagement of Australian team in ball-tampering during the Third Test match: 

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said that he suspected the Australians may have been engaging in ball-tampering practices prior to the third Test in Cape Town.

According to cricket.com.au, on being questioned on whether he suspected the Australians of any tampering plans, he said, "I thought so, yes".

"The series the ball has been reversing quite a bit. I joked about it this last Test match, (saying) I've never seen so many guys put up their hand to open the batting," he added.

However, after Cricket Australia slapped charges of ball-tampering on the disgraced trio, du Plessis came out in support of Smith and Warner. Addressing a media conference ahead of the fourth Test in Johannesburg, du Plessis acknowledged that he had texted Smith a message of support, according to ANI.

"I did send him a text," du Plessis said in the press conference. "I just sent him a message of support saying that he'll get through this, he must just be strong. He appreciated the message. There is a lot of respect between the two of us. He's a good leader for Australia," he added.

3. James Sutherland denies news of resigning as chief of Cricket Australia: 

Questions about Cricket Australia's chief James Sutherland resigning from his post was scrapped off by the chief himself. James Sutherland, during a press conference, pressed on the fact that he was not resigning from his post. 

"I'm not resigning. What has happened the last few days have only strengthened my resolve to ensure that the Australian cricket and the Australian cricket team get back on track and back in a place where it has not only the full respect but the pride of the Australian community," Sutherland said in a press conference.

Sutherland also expressed his feelings for Smith Warner and Bancroft who are right now going through harsh times. 

Speaking at the press conference, he said, "I haven't seen Steve Smith's press conference but I have had a lot of messages and will watch it," he said. "I know how sad and remorseful he is. Our hearts go out to the three suspended players right now," he said.

4. Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar come out in support:

Several Indian players from the Indian cricket team came out in support of the disgraced trio. Former India opener Gautam Gambhir came in support of Smith saying that measures taken by the Cricket Australia against the trio were 'harsh' and raised questions whether the imposed sanctions on Smith and Warner paid the price for revolting against Cricket Australia on pay hike issue.

He went on Twitter to express his feelings about the Smith and Warner: 

Moreover, former Indian player, Sachin Tendulkar also urged the media to 'step back and give them space' as they suffered from the ongoing scandal. He also tweeted in support of the Australian players saying: 



5. Darren Lehmann to quit as Australia coach: Darren Lehmann on Thursday said he would quit as coach of the scandal-tainted Australia cricket team after the fourth and final Test of a series in South Africa.

"This will be my last Test as head coach of the Australian cricket team," Lehmann told a press conference on the eve of the match.

"Saying goodbye to the players was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.

"After seeing events in the media today with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, the feeling is that Australian cricket needs to move forward and this is the right thing to do.

"I really felt for Steve and as you see I'm crying in front of the media. All the players are really hurting." 

Lehmann, who was due to leave the job after the 2019 Ashes series in England.

6. 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.

7. 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: 

8. 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.


9. 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.

10. 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.

"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.

 

With agency inputs