Australia cricket captain Steve Smith banned for one test over role in ball-tampering scandal
Australia's cricket captain Steve Smith has been banned for one test and fined the entirety of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over a ball-tampering scandal.
The ban comes just hours after Smith and vice-captain David Warner agreed to stand down from their positions for the remainder of the third Test against South Africa.
Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft was caught rubbing a piece of tape, coated with dust from the pitch, on the ball while fielding, and in a press conference after the match admitted deliberately tampering with it.
Smith was also see four demerit points added to his record, while Bancroft received three and was fined 75% of his match fee.
Bancroft attempted to hide the tape down his trousers but the video evidence was clear and he was charged by the match officials after play finished on day three in Cape Town.
Team captain Steve Smith, who admitted he and the team leadership knew of the plan in advance, said he was "incredibly sorry" for bringing the game "into disrepute".
Speaking after the disciplinary actions, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The decision made by the leadership group of the Australian team to act in this way is clearly contrary to the spirit of the game, risks causing significant damage to the integrity of the match, the players and the sport itself and is therefore ‘serious’ in nature.
As captain, Steve Smith must take full responsibility for the actions of his players and it is appropriate that he be suspended...
“The game needs to have a hard look at itself.
"In recent weeks we have seen incidents of ugly sledging, send-offs, dissent against umpires’ decisions, a walk-off, ball tampering and some ordinary off-field behaviour...
"Winning is important but not at the expense of the spirit of the game which is intrinsic and precious to the sport of cricket. We have to raise the bar across all areas.”
Smith's admission of premeditated ball-tampering has led to calls for him to be sacked as skipper.
CA chief executive James Sutherland said: "Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as captain and vice-captain respectively for the remainder of this Test match.
"This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands.
"As I said earlier today, Cricket Australia and Australian cricket fans expect certain standards of conduct from cricketers representing our country, and on this occasion these standards have not been met.
"All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of priority."
Earlier Smith had said he would not step down, following the incident which he believed was a way "to get an advantage".
On the board decision to appoint an acting captain, Cricket Australia chairman, David Peever said: "The board of Cricket Australia has endorsed Tim Paine to step in as acting captain for the remainder of this Test.
"Both Steve and David will take to the field today under Tim's captaincy.
"The board fully supports the process for an immediate investigation into what occurred in Cape Town.
"We regard this as a matter of the utmost seriousness and urgency. We will ensure we have all information available to make the right decisions for Australian Cricket.