David Warner has been withdrawn from the squad for the fourth and final Test match against South Africa. As per the reports, he will fly back to Australia along with Steven Smith as soon as the verdict will be out.
The reports have suggested Warner had a key role in setting up the tampering plan; hence, he is also one of the players under the scanner.
A likely ban for the players involved in ‘Sandpaper Gate’ is expected and Warner, if banned, will anyway be out of the contest.
Yesterday (March 26) Cricket Australia issued a statement quashing all the reports which suggested that Smith had flown back to Australia.
The Cricket Association confirmed he is still in South Africa and will be investigated by the panel regarding the ‘Sandpaper Gate’.
Both, Warner and Smith, will only fly back to Australia after the investigation is done and dusted. Should any of the other player, apart from Warner and Smith, be caught in the ‘Sandpaper Gate’, he would also fly back to Australia.
Cricket Australia has confirmed they would announce a verdict over the matter on March 28; hence, it will be clear what sort of punishment players get.
A few reports suggested they both could face a life ban. However, now, a milder punishment is expected, and they are expected to be let off with a one year ban.
It will mean both the players will only make a comeback to international cricket few months before World Cup and Ashes 2019. Australia will also have to look for new leaders in all three formats of the game.
Although Steven Smith has not played any T20I contest for past two years, he is officially the T20I captain of Australia. Smith revealed that the team planned to tamper the ball, and hence, more players could see themselves facing actions.
Meanwhile, Darren Lehmann, Australia’s Head Coach, is all set to resign from his post. He was caught passing on instructions to Peter Handscomb to inform Cameron Bancroft that he has been caught. His role can’t also be ignored and not just him, while other coaches might also join Lehmann and may announce their exit from Austra’s backroom staff.
It also means Australia will not just have new captains, but also new coaching set-up in days to come.
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