Cricket Australia investigators arrive in South Africa amid ball-tampering scandal

CRICKET Australia chief executive James Sutherland will fly to South Africa in a bid to get to the bottom of the ball-tampering scandal.

Steve Smith is under fire in South Africa.

CRICKET Australia chief executive James Sutherland will fly to South Africa in a bid to get to the bottom of the ball-tampering scandal

Having already dispatched investigators Iain Roy and Pat Howard to Cape Town, Sutherland said he would also travel to help determine possible outcomes.

“Iain Roy and Pat Howard arrive in Cape Town this morning local time, and Iain will immediately conduct his inquiries around the specifics of the ball tampering incident,” Sutherland said.

“I am travelling to Johannesburg this evening and will arrive Tuesday morning local time to meet Iain to understand the findings of the investigation to that point, and to determine recommended outcomes.

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“We know Australians want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings and next steps, as a matter of urgency.”

Cricket Australia chairman David Peever said they would not be forced in to making any early calls with skipper Steve Smith’s captaincy on the line.

“The Cricket Australia Board has been fully updated on the issue and supports James travelling to South Africa to manage the response to the investigation currently underway,” Peever said.

“We expect to be able to fully update the Australian public on the findings on Wednesday morning (Tuesday evening in Johannesburg).

“We understand that everyone wants answers, but we must follow our due diligence before any further decisions are made.”

Steve Smith could be facing an even longer ban amid the ball-tampering scandal.

SMITH STAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Earlier, Cricket Australia confirmed embattled Australian captain Steve Smith would be remaining in Cape Town and will front up to investigators to give his version events in the ball-tampering scandal.

Smith, who stood down from the captaincy before day four of the third Test against South Africa, is fighting for his job after admitting to cheating.

All members of the Australian touring party are staying in Cape Town as CA integrity head Iain Roy, and high performance manager Pat Howard attempt to get to the bottom of the decision to tamper with the ball using a piece of tape.

Coach Darren Lehmann is also increasingly in the gun amid speculation he not only knew what was taking place on the field, but may have been part of the decision making process.

Smith has already been suspended from the final Test in Johannesburg, but it’s unknown if he will return to Australia as soon as the investigation is complete.

Roy and Howard will report back to management and the Cricket Australia board which held a series of phone conferences over the weekend.

A charge of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game includes a possible life ban from the sport and takes in factors including “the harm caused by the breach to the interests of cricket”.

Nobody expects Smith or Bancroft to get a life ban, but the possibility is there.

CA appeared to change course on Sunday when Smith and David Warner stood down from their positions as captain and vice-captain after a meeting. Smith had rejected suggestions he stand down on Saturday evening and Sutherland had said a process needed to be followed before any serious moves were made earlier in the day.

LISTEN! A special ball tampering crisis Cricket Unfiltered episode is out with News Corp’s Russell Gould and Andrew Menczel dissecting the fallout of the Australian cheating scandal.

You can download Cricket Unfiltered from the iTunes store

Tim Paine was appointed acting captain, a move approved by the board. The wicketkeeper said it was strange to be leading the side in such circumstances.

“Strange, not the circumstances that anyone would like to be sitting here, really bizarre, strange, horrible 24 hours,” he said after play.

Paine revealed that Bancroft and Smith were battling with their emotions.

“They’re not great, it’s been a horrible 24 hours, they’re struggling, but probably the reality and the enormity of what’s happened is starting to sink in,” he said.

The Australians seem to be bracing themselves for more than the absence of just Smith in the next Test.

Steve Smith and David Warner stepped down from their positions for the remainder of the Test.

“Some guys are going to get an opportunity from this, so it’s trying to grab hold of the one positive that may come of it is guys are going to get an opportunity to play for their country,” Paine said.

Meanwhile South African captain Faf du Plessis rejected suggestions that the Australian were guilty of the same breach he was convicted of in 2016-17.

“Ball shining versus ball tampering, they’re two very different situations,” he said. “One is definitely much more serious than the other.

“I can understand it’s a really tough time for him (Smith) to be in right now. Obviously the situation I was in was really difficult for me as well, because people were attacking me, my personality and my character, and I felt it was wrong. It wasn’t fair.

Australian team coach Darren Lehmann, left, and player Steve Smith, right, congratulate Morne Morkel after South Africa beat Australia in Cape Town.

“I don’t know he feels about his own situation.

“But I can imagine it’s a really tough time he’s going through.”

The South African captain is not, however, unhappy that Smith is not playing the last match of the series.

“That is very comforting,” du Plessis said. “He’s a very good batsman and somehow we’ve managed to keep him quiet. A player of his stature, he’s a very, very good player. (For) the Australian team, it’s almost like losing two players. He’s such a strong batter and I do believe his leadership is also good for team. He’ll be a big loss for them.”

1. The TV cameras show Cameron Bancroft taking something yellow, later revealed to be tape covered in dirt, out of his pocket after the ball is thrown to him in the field.

2. Bancroft works over the ball. The incident is shown on TV, at which point coach Darren Lehmann talks to 12th man Peter Handscomb, who rushed to the middle.

3. After talking to Handscomb, Bancroft attempts to cover up his dirty work by putting the yellow tape down the front of his pants — supposedly safe from prying eyes. This is all captured on camera.

The South African would not be drawn into stating Smith had cheated.

“It’s difficult for me to answer,” he said. “What he did is against the ICC rule book. He knows that, he’s owned up to it. It’s not right to do that but he’s put his hand up and I suppose now he can try and move forward and the Australian team are going to try and move forward as quickly as possible.

“The ball has reversed a lot this series. We joked about it ... we said normally in South African conditions, being an opener is the toughest time to bat, but at the moment everyone is putting their hand up to open the batting. The toughest part in this series has been from 40 to 80 overs.”