Captains have big responsibility says Root as questions arise over Ashes

JOE ROOT insists he saw no reason to suspect Australia of ball-tampering during last winter’s Ashes.

Root’s team lost 4-0 to opponents who have since become mired in controversy after captain Steve Smith admitted he and batsman Cameron Bancroft hatched a plan to tamper with the ball in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Smith will miss the final Test, in Johannesburg on Friday, after being banned by the International Cricket Council following his admission of wrongdoing.

Smith has also stood down as captain of the Rajasthan Royals “in the best interest” of the Indian Premier League franchise, whose season starts next week.

He is also set to discover this week whether his employers at Cricket Australia have decided on further punishment for him or deputy David Warner after already standing both down from their positions of responsibility.

Root, speaking after England had continued their losing streak in the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland, did not corroborate reports that have suggested Warner tampered with the ball during the Ashes, too.

As well as photographs depicting Bancroft apparently stuffing sugar – a potential if unlikely abrasive – into his pocket as he made a cup of tea during an interval against England in the final Test in Sydney, it has been reported Warner had his own patented methods of scuffing the ball.

However, Root said: “I personally wasn’t aware of anything going on throughout that series.”

Bancroft and Smith were charged by match referee Andy Pycroft at Newlands after television cameras showed the opener pulling a piece of yellow tape out of his pocket while handling the ball during South Africa’s second innings.

“It is disappointing for Test cricket and cricket in general,” said Root. “I think as a captain... you’re responsible for the way everyone else (in your team) behaves, and you want to make sure that’s within the laws of the game and within the spirit of the game.

“I just have to look after my group of guys and make sure I’m happy with the way they’re conducting themselves – and if not make sure things are done right.

“As an international player you know the rules... it’s as simple as that. I think it’s really important you of course give absolutely everything on the field and make sure you do everything you can to win – but do it in the right way.”

RUGBY UNION: Olympian Abbie Brown will captain Team England’s women’s rugby sevens side at the Commonwealth Games next month after they named their squad to compete in Australia.

Brown, who helped Great Britain reach the semi-finals at Rio 2016, will lead the squad of 12 players and one travelling reserve for the Gold Coast as the women’s competition makes its Commonwealth Games debut.

Emily Scarratt, who played in the 2017 World Cup final, has been named vice-captain, with fellow Olympians Heather Fisher, Claire Allan, Natasha Hunt, Emily Scott and Amy Wilson Hardy also in the squad.