South Africa vs Australia: Steve Smith, David Warner make major announcements

Team Australia have received a major setback in the ongoing Test series against South Africa. Their leadership group, including the captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, have been found guilty of the serious offence of ball tampering. Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft was spotted using some external substances, sand paper as it was later deciphered as, to make changes to the match ball on the third day of the ongoing Test match.

Later, a fiery post match presentation followed wherein Bancroft admitted to the offence and so did the skipper Steve Smith. Smith admitted that the leadership group of the team had instructed Bancroft to be using those foul tactics during the day’s play. Cricket Australia has already started off their investigation in the case and are expected to file in their results on the same soon.

Meanwhile, in a major development, the captain Steve Smith and the vice-captain David Warner, have agreed to step down from their respective roles in the ongoing Test in Cape Town. For the remainder of this Test, the team management has announced a new captain.

New captain announced

Wicketkeeper batsman Tim Paine has been named as the Australian captain for the remainder of this Test. And in all likelihood, Paine might take over as the captain in the next game as well. However, an announcement on the same is yet to be made. Certainly, the authorities do not wish to jump to the conclusions too early. Hence, by not naming a new captain for the fourth Test of the series, they are buying out time.

Meanwhile, there is a widespread appeal from the cricket fans to sack Steve Smith from his post of the Australian captain. In fact, the Australian government authorities have also called for the sacking of Smith. However, a final decision from CA is yet to be made. Also, it needs to be ascertained whether Smith was the sole leader in the unscrupulous activities in the team management. Others could have been involved as well.

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