Hard to reclaim reputations but can reclaim values: Hussey

It will be difficult for Australia's besmirched cricketers to reclaim their reputations when the dust settles on the ball-tampering scandal but the episode is nonetheless a chance for the team to reclaim some of its lost principles and values, feels former batsman Michael Hussey.

"I feel like we've lost sight of some of these principles in recent years...there are some very good people representing Australia at the moment but the ball tampering issue isn't the first time the team as a collective has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons," Hussey wrote for 'playersvoice.com.au'.

Australian captain Steve Smith, opener Cameron Bancroft and batsman David Warner have been sent home in disgrace after admitting to tampering with the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Bancroft was caught on camera using a sand paper to rough up the ball and Smith later admitted that it was a pre-meditated move thought through by the team's leadership group.

Surprisingly, the side's coach Darren Lehmann has been cleared of any involvement following a preliminary inquiry by Cricket Australia.

"The next few days, weeks and months will be difficult for Australian cricket. Jobs might be lost and heavy sanctions handed down," said Hussey, who represented Australia in 79 Tests, 185 ODIs and 38 T20 Internationals, accumulating 22,783 runs across formats.

"...this period will also present the team with a chance to reset. Our values. Our team culture. Our true north...We played hard, certainly, but also positively and fairly."