Cricket Australia (CA), on Sunday, confirmed they had launched an investigation to probe the sensational ball-tampering incident that has marred the ongoing third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.
On Saturday, video footage showed Cameron Bancroft using an external object while trying to shine the ball. Bancroft was captured putting a yellow object down the front of his pants moments before the umpires seemingly inquired about it. Footage later showed Bancroft rubbing the ball and then seemingly putting an object back in his pocket.
Later, Bancroft and Australia skipper Steve Smith admitted that they deliberately attempted to change the condition of the ball. Speaking at the post-day presser, Smith revealed that the plan was made by the ‘leadership group’ before insisting that the coaching staff did not know anything about it.
The players have been facing the heat since the video emerged and it looks like they are all set to land in further trouble. CA chief James Sutherland made it clear that further sanctions await those found to have been directly involved in ball tampering. Sutherland made the comments while speaking to the media in Melbourne.
Expressing his disappointment, a visibly angry Sutherland insisted that CA would probe the issue with ‘utmost urgency and seriousness.’
“That can’t be the end of it, we have a responsibility to take this further and to understand more about the issue,” Sutherland said.
“We are extremely disappointed and shocked at what we woke up to this morning, and we are dealing with this issue with the utmost urgency and seriousness.
CA’s Executive General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard, along with Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Integrity Iain Roy, have left for South Africa to know more details about the incident.
“We certainly don’t have all of the evidence at hand and we need someone to go over there and talk to the relevant people involved to understand what happened and the detail, and then we’ll make appropriate decisions as to next step,” Sutherland said.
Sutherland also said that Smith would not be removed from captaincy immediately.
“We’re in the middle of a game, and that game needs to conclude. I understand that’s not necessarily the fullness of response that everyone is looking for right now, but there’s an element of process that needs to be undertaken here.
“By appointing our Head of Integrity to this project , it is being dealt with as a matter of urgency and seriousness,” he added.