Lehmann spared as Aussies swing axe
DARREN LEHMANN has been cleared by Cricket Australia of having any part in the ball-tampering scandal and will continue in his role as head coach.
But captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft have been sent home from South Africa in disgrace.
The trio are set to be handed “significant” punishments today, expected to be lengthy bans from international competition.
Yet Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland delivered the astonishing reprieve for Lehmann despite widespread expectation he would be axed.
“The key finding is that prior knowledge [of the ball tampering] was limited to three players,” he said at a packed press conference in Johannesburg yesterday.
“No other players or support staff had prior knowledge and that includes Darren Lehmann who, contrary to reports, has not offered his resignation. He will continue to coach under his current contract.”
Lehmann is contracted until the end of the Ashes of 2019 but whether Warner will be coming to England for that series looks doubtful. Smith has been stripped of the captaincy and is set to lose a significant portion of his international career while Warner, who is 31, could be finished with Australia.
Sutherland confirmed that sanctions will be handed down today. “It is not in the spirit
of the game. It is not a good day for Australian cricket,” Sutherland said. “I share the anger and disappointment of Australian fans and the broader Australian community.
“On behalf of Cricket Australia, I want to apologise to all Australians that these events have taken place, especially to all kids who love cricket and idolise the players. We recognise this issue goes beyond the technical nature of offences and various codes of conduct. It is about whether Australians can feel proud of their national sport teams.”
“We are contemplating significant sanctions. These will reflect the gravity of the offences and the damage done to Australian cricket.”
Sutherland also said investigations so far had led him to believe this was a one-off, despite speculation that cheating may also have taken place during the Ashes. “The feeling is that this is an isolated incident but I don’t want to go into too much detail,” he said. “I certainly hope it is an isolated incident.”
Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was appointed captain for the rest of the series while Matthew Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns have been flown in as replacements.