Australian govt wants Smith to be sacked after ball-tampering row

March 25, 2018 12:30

Hours after the Cricket Australia said that it will not rule on Steven Smith's future as captain until it completes a probe into stunning ball-tampering revelations, the Australian government has asked the board to remove Smith as captain.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has also called the incident a "shocking disappointment".

"We all work up this morning shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from South Africa," Turnbull said adding, "It seemed completely beyond belief that the Australian cricket team had been involved in cheating."

He further said, "I've spoken with David Peever, the Chairman of Cricket Australia, a few moments ago and I've expressed to him very clearly and unequivocally my disappointment and my concern about the events in South Africa."

"It's their responsibility to deal with it, but I have to say that (to) the whole nation, who holds those who wear the Baggy Green up on a pedestal, about as high as you can get in Australia this is a shocking disappointment. It's wrong, and I look forward to Cricket Australia taking decisive action soon," Turnbull added.

According to espncricinfo.com, the Australian Sports Commission Chair John Wylie, the ASC Board, and CEO Kate Palmer, speaking for the Australian government, called for severe action against the team.

"The ASC condemns cheating of any form in sport. The ASC expects and requires that Australian teams and athletes demonstrate unimpeachable integrity in representing our country. Given the admission by Australian captain Steve Smith, the ASC calls for him to be stood down immediately by Cricket Australia, along with any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness of, or involvement in, the plan to tamper with the ball. This can occur while Cricket Australia completes a full investigation," the commission said in a statement.

Smith, who has led the team since 2015 and is the team's best batsman, confessed to reporters on Saturday that the ball-tampering had been orchestrated by himself and senior players during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, the most junior member in the side at 25, was tasked with implementing the plan and was duly caught on camera using the tape.

He has been charged by the International Cricket Council which could lead to a one-match ban and a 100 per cent fine of his match fee.

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