CA officials travel to South Africa to investigate ball-tampering scandal

Cricket Australia's CEO, general manager and legal counsel will convene in South Africa to investigate the ball-tampering fiasco.

Published : Mar 26, 2018 12:23 IST

James Sutherland, CEO of Cricket Australia (CA), will fly to South Africa to further investigate the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the team in recent days.

It was confirmed during day four of the third Test at Newlands, which the Proteas won by a crushing 322 runs, that Australia captain Steve Smith has been banned for the final match of the series at the Wanderers, which begins on Friday.

Smith revealed he had been involved in the plot to manipulate the ball on day three in Cape Town, where Cameron Bancroft used tape and dirt from the pitch in an attempt to engineer reverse swing.

Bancroft was fined 75 per cent of his match fee and handed three demerit points for his part in the fiasco but is free to play in Johannesburg, while Smith and vice-captain David Warner were stood down from their roles by CA for the remainder of the Newlands Test.

Sutherland assured he would look into the matter and will meet executive general manager of team performance Pat Howard and Iain Roy – the senior legal counsel and head of integrity – in South Africa, with an update on the sorry saga promised later this week.

"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, via a CA release.

"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.

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

"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," added CA chairman David Peever.

"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."

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