Smith, Warner

CAPTAINCY OUT

CA said Smith and Bancroft will not be considered for team leadership positions until one year after the end of their ban, while Warner will never be an option for captaincy role.

“Any consideration of future leadership would be conditional on acceptance by fans and the public, form and authority among the playing group. David Warner will not be considered for team leadership positions in the future.”

CA chairman David Peever said the rather stringent penalties are a reflection of Australia’s current outrage at the actions of the players.

“These are significant penalties for professional players and the Board does not impose them lightly. It is hoped that following a period of suspension, the players will be able to return to playing the game they love and eventually rebuild their careers,” he said.

CA CEO James Sutherland echoed the sentiment.

“I am satisfied that the sanctions in this case properly reflect a balance between the need to protect the integrity and reputation of the game and the need to maintain the possibility of redemption for the individuals involved, all of whom have learned difficult lessons through these events,” he said.

LEHMAN GETS OFF

However, chief coach Darren Lehmann has been surprisingly given a clean chit after preliminary investigations on Tuesday. CA maintained that the coach and the rest of the team were unaware of the conspiracy which was primarily hatched by the three players.

Tim Paine will captain Australia in the final Test match in Johannesburg with reinforcements in middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell along with openers Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw scheduled to arrive later Wednesday.