Steve Smith steps-down from captaincy for the remainder of 3rd-Test
Australian captain Steve Smith has stepped down from captaincy for the remainder of the Test against South Africa. Along with Smith, vice-captain David Warner has also resigned after discussions with Cricket Australia. This comes after Smith admitted that players knew about the plan to alter ball. Yesterday, Smith had claimed that he will not resign but external pressure forced him to take this step.
Pressure grew on Smith to resign
After former Australia players called for his resignation as captain, an Australian government agency too opined on the same ground. The Australian Sports Commission had released a statement calling for the skipper to step down, condemning cheating in any sport.
How the tampering incident unfolded?
Australian opener Cameron Bancroft was charged with ball tampering on Day 3 of the third Test. Bancroft used sticky yellow tape which had debris from the pitch for altering the shape of the ball. When he realised that umpires were suspicious, he hid the tape under his pants. TV footage showed the entire scenario as Bancroft was charged by the match referee.
Smith guilty for allowing it to happen
The idea of the ball tampering was discussed by the Australian leadership during the lunch on Day 3. Smith, in his press conference on Saturday, claimed that coach Darren Lehmann had no idea about it and the seniors are solely responsible for this incident that has never occurred before. The CA is supposed to take a call on this matter at the earliest.
