Sponsors 'deeply concerned' over Australia cheating scandal

Cricket Australia was under mounting pressure to act decisively from key sponsors today who voiced "deep concern" over a cheating scandal that has rocked the sport and damaged its reputation.

Captain Steve Smith admitted he hatched a plan to change the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town Saturday, throwing the game into turmoil.

He was stood down from his role as skipper for the remainder of the match then banned for one game by the International Cricket Council, with CA conducting its own investigation.

The crisis couldn't have come at a worse time for the governing body, which is renegotiating a lucrative TV deal, with the existing Aus$600 million five-year agreement expiring at the end of the year.

There are concerns that broadcasters could use the controversy as a bargaining chip.

Sponsors of the team made clear Monday they were not happy, amid fears of the fallout on their brands.

"This is deeply disappointing and certainly not what anyone expects from our national cricket team," airline Qantas, whose logo is on the team shirts in South Africa, told AFP.

"We are in discussions with Cricket Australia as this issue unfolds."
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The team's biggest sponsor, fund manager Magellan, told the Australian Financial Review: "We're deeply concerned about it, it involves cheating, in no way would we condone it in what we do."