Australia Cricket Captain Steve Smith Fined And Banned Over Ball Tampering Incident

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Smith had been given a one-match suspension and fined 100% of his match fee.

Steve Smith and David Warner have been stood down as captain and vice-captain by Cricket Australia for the remainder of the Newlands Test for their role in the Cameron Bancroft ball-tampering incident.Wicket-keeper Tim Paine will lead the team for the rest of the match.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has also spoken about the issue, saying: ‘I am shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from South Africa.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland made the announcement via a media statement before the start of day four of the third Test against South Africa.

Smith, though, was defiant in saying that he would not resign as captain. But now it seems as if that decision has been taken for him.

Cricket Australia chairman David Peever, who is travelling as part of a delegation to South Africa to investigate the matter further, added about Paine: “The Board of Cricket Australia has endorsed Tim Paine to step in as acting captain for the remainder of this Test.

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) said in a statement: ‘Smith should be stood down immediately, along with any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness of, or involvement in, the plan. ‘This [Smith’s removal] can occur while Cricket Australia completes a full investigation.

The ASC condemns cheating of any form in sport. ‘The ASC expects and requires that Australian teams and athletes demonstrate unimpeachable integrity in representing our country.’

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