Australia’s head coach Darren Lehmann had a checkered past as a cricketer, and it has extended into his coaching career too. Most recently, his team was involved in a ball-tampering scandal during the third Tests at Cape Town.
Meanwhile, television footage showed Bancroft take what he said was a yellow tape out of his trouser pocket before rubbing the ball to change its condition.
However, later Smith said the team’s “leadership group” had a plan, carried out by Cameron Bancroft, to tamper with the ball to “get an advantage.”
Cricket Australia head James Sutherland, who talked stridently about how this was about far more than the ball-tampering incident itself. However, he gave Lehmann a clean chit thus allowing him to continue until 2019.
Meanwhile, they banned Smith and David Warner for 12 months while Bancroft will serve a nine months ban.
Here are some of the instances when Lehmann found himself in controversy:
January 2003- Banned for a racial outburst against Sri Lanka
During his playing days, Lehmann himself avoided a life ban by a narrow margin. The southpaw made racial comments towards a Sri Lanka player after getting run-out.
Lehmann served a five-match ban after breaching the sport’s racial vilification laws. Meanwhile, he became the first player to get suspended under this code.
However, he apologized immediately for his outburst and later gave a written apology.
March 2006- Reprimanded for comments against Cricket Australia sponsor
Cricket Australia charged Lehmann for his post-match comments on their sponsors ING.
“A 9.30am start, I don’t know how many times you have to say it,” he said. “Thank God we might be changing sponsors. That might allow us to play at different times. I don’t know whether I can say that, but I have,” he added.
He breached two Cricket Australia’s rules for “unbecoming behavior” and “detrimental public comment.”
July 2006- Censored by Yorkshire for making an obscene gesture to the crowd
Yorkshire County Cricket Club censored Lehmann after the latter was caught on camera making an obscene gesture to the crowd.
Meanwhile, the incident took place during a Twenty20 match against Lancashire at Old Trafford.
“Yorkshire County Cricket Club does not condone this behavior and has met with Darren to discuss the matter,” read a statement. “The club have dealt with the matter internally and are confident it will not happen again,” it added.
December 2012- Controversial comments on Marlon Samuels
Cricket Australia reprimanded Lehmann for his comments on Marlon Samuels’ bowling action. Meanwhile, Lehmann was the coach of Brisbane Heats at that time.
“I want something done. He couldn’t bowl in the IPL last year, yet he can bowl in the BBL,” he said. “If he’s deemed legal, I’m understanding of that,” he added.
For his troubles, Lehmann received a $3000 fine suspended for two years.
August 2013- Accused Stuart Broad of blatant cheating
ICC fined Lehmann’s 20 percent of match fees for accusing Stuart Broad of “blatant cheating.”
“I just hope the Australian public give it to him right from the word go and I hope he cries and goes home,” Lehmann said.
However, he issued an apology to Broad, to that Broad accepted.
March 2017: Defends team after Steve Smith DRS incident in Bengaluru.
Australia coach Lehmann denied Kohli’s claims of cheating during Steve Smith’s brain-fade moment. The incident took place during India Test match against Australia at Bengaluru.
Smith sought help from the dressing room after getting out LBW. However, Lehmann denied the charged and backed his skipper.
“Never, ever, ever,” was his response to whether Australia had indulged in seeking help from the dressing room in DRS situations before the Smith incident.
March 2018: Defends Warner on the stairwell incident on Durban.
Lehmann backed David Warner post the staircase incident involving Quinton de Kock. The incident took place during the first Test when de Kock said a mouthful to Warner.
As a result, Warner went in rage towards de Kock before his teammates controlled him.
“There are things that cross the line and evokes emotion and you’ve got to deal with that behind closed doors and get better at that,” Lehmann said. “Both sides are going to push the boundaries. That’s part and parcel of test match cricket. It’s a bloody tough game,” he added.
Further, here is the newsfeed:
Twitter reacts as Cricket Australia sanctions trio
Smith, Warner get 12-months bans: Aussie media