Twitter erupts as Steve Smith, Warner and Bancroft all set to leave South Africa

Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to call back Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft from South Africa immediately. The sanctions on them will be announced on Wednesday even as the CEO of the Australian cricket board James Sutherland hinted that those are very significant. However, Twitterati erupted as soon as the verdict came with three of their players were directed back to Australia immediately ahead of the fourth and final Test match of the series.

Darren Lehmann, the coach of the team, will continue at the helm even as the cricket board continues to investigate the matter. Tim Paine has been officially announced as the captain of the Australian team atleast for the remainder of the series for now. The likes of Glenn Maxwell, Joe Burns and Matthew Renshaw will join the Test squad within next 24 hours. Australia are lagging in the four-match series by 2-1 and will have to win the game to level the series.

What actually happened?

The world was waiting for eagerly for the CEO of Cricket Australia to address the press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesdsay evening. All of them were waiting for the sanctions to be announced in the ball-tampering incident which has marred the Australian cricket over the last few days. But Twitterati was left disappointed after they came to know that the news will come after 24 more hours as the anticipation increased over the matter.

Though it is clear now that only three players will face the heat for their preplanned actions on the field to alter the condition of the ball. James Sutherland clearly stated that the coaching staff and the rest of the team had no knowledge about the incident. The statement cleared that Lehmann will continue as the coach and there will be no change in personnel in that regard.

While some of the Tweeples were highly disappointed as they got nothing to churn about the matter, few went on to find some humour in this regard also as the wait continues.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted:

don't understand why that press conference by james sutherland is being criticised. he is trending at number one in india!

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 27, 2018

To think Darren Lehmann did not know a thing is the most unreal thing i have heard in a long time! Bizarre! How can he not????

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 27, 2018

If you want to tamper with a cricket ball you need to be a bit more subtle #Cricket pic.twitter.com/aID6ULEMmf

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) March 27, 2018

Finding it really hard to believe that Darren Lehmann and others weren’t aware of what was going on ?? #SandpaperGate #SAvAUS

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) March 27, 2018

Darren Lehmann asking Peter Handscomb to bring some tea to his desk. pic.twitter.com/GSO03QYCLq

— Karthik Lakshmanan (@lk_karthik) March 27, 2018

No firm statement on the no-objection certificates for the IPL. Will depend on the quantum of the verdict. But seems almost certain that Smith and Warner won't be at the IPL

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 27, 2018

I can’t believe for one minute that only three players knew what was going on…bowlers, coach and bowling coach weren’t involved in discussions of how to get the ball moving…whether it be by cheating or not! ?? #sandpapergate

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) March 27, 2018

So, three batsmen hatched a plan to tamper with the ball to HELP the bowlers. And bowlers didn’t know about it. I need time to process this. #SandpaperGate

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 27, 2018

The sanctions will be significant and will reflect the gravity of the situation, says James Sutherland. Looks like it will be some time out of the game for the three.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 27, 2018

As I read the situation, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively will not only lose Smith (already done) and Warner as captains, but also players. If they are banned even for 3 months by CA can't see BCCI/IPL Governing Council allowing them to play

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 27, 2018

The main takeaway from this press conference is "significant sanctions" for 3 cricketers. He stressed that point.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) March 27, 2018

3rd Jan

Steve Smith tells Glenn Maxwell he needs to ‘train a bit smarter’.

27th March

Glenn Maxwell replaces Steve Smith in the squad after his team is caught ball tampering.

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 27, 2018

Press conference recap:

– Smith, Warner, Bancroft sent home
– Disciplinary action to be revealed tomorrow
– Darren Lehmann had no knowledge of events and will continue in role
– Tim Paine made captain
– CA CEO James Sutherland refrains from using the word 'cheating' pic.twitter.com/MQMwiT1x0p

— The Cricket Paper (@TheCricketPaper) March 27, 2018

Maybe Lehmann was only instructing Handscomb to tell Bancroft to start chanting Hanuman Chalisa!

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 27, 2018

World XI’s Tim Paine is Australia’s new Test captain. What a turnaround for him since his visit to Lahore. Recalled to Tests after 7 years and now made captain. #LahoreLucky ?

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) March 27, 2018

When you’re the mastermind of a controversy but chacha vidhayak hai.. #SandpaperGate pic.twitter.com/oyq651BmEv

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 27, 2018

The Johannesburg Test match will be Australia's

– First in 56 Tests without David Warner. (Last was vs England, Lord's 2013)
– First in 60 Tests without Steven Smith. (Last was vs India, Hyderabad 2013)#SAvAUS

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 27, 2018

So Smith lied about the leadership group. How does Darren Lehmann survive? pic.twitter.com/m9iHzOXUzp

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 27, 2018

So its early Ghar Wapsi for Warner, Smith and Bancroft .Tim Paine will captain. Lehmann survives. Highlights of the most anticipated Press Conference in recent times- James Sutherland.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 27, 2018

Hopefully those asking for bans against Smith, Warner and Bancroft are consistent when it's players from their own country in future #Cricket #BallTampering pic.twitter.com/SW6TAWfetv

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) March 27, 2018