Cricket Australia defends role in crisis, announces player review

Australia top cricket chiefs today ruled out stepping down after a ball-tampering scandal that shocked the nation, saying it was "not the time for a witch-hunt" as a review into player conduct was announced.

The sport has been engulfed in one of its biggest crisis after former captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft attempted to alter the balls condition in the third Test in South Africa last month.

Smith and Warner were banned for a year and Bancroft for nine months, with the trio accepting their sanctions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Critics have questioned whether CAs role in the affair should come under scrutiny, but chairman David Peever said he did not intend to step down and that chief executive James Sutherlands job was not in jeopardy.

"James Sutherlands position is not under review, he continues to retain the full support of the board," Peever told reporters in Brisbane.

"In respect of my own position, no, I do not intend to step down, and that hasnt been suggested by the board. Our task now is to work through this problem and make sure we come through and cricket comes through it much more strongly.

"I think we will all come under the microscope about what is happening in the organisation. But this is not the time for a witch-hunt."