Australia's cricket coach quits after tearful apologies from captain and batsman over ball-tampering scandal

Steve Smith said he would regret cheating for 'the rest of my life'. Credit: AP

  • Video report by ITV London Sports Reporter Amy Lewis

Australian cricket head coach Darren Lehmann has resigned over the ball-tampering scandal, saying it was "the right thing" for the sport.

Lehmann had previously declared he would not step down, after a Cricket Australia investigation found he had no prior knowledge of cheating.

But on Thursday, after tearful press conferences by former captain Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft, he said his resignation was "only fair".

Fighting back tears himself, he said: "I'm ultimately responsible for the culture in the team. After viewing Steve and Cameron's hurting, it's only fair that I make this decision."

It came after the disgraced team captain broke down as he apologised profusely for what had happened.

Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy and banned for 12 months, admitted to a "serious failure in leadership" during a press conference in Sydney after being sent home from South Africa.

Supported by his father as he fought back tears, he said he hoped he could be a "force for change" in the game.

Smith was banned along with former vice captain David Warner, who has been pinpointed as the chief instigator in the cheating.

Warner has yet to face the public, but issued a statement via Twitter admitting his actions had left a "stain" on the game.

"Mistakes have been made which has damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it," he wrote.

"I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days."

Batsman Cameron Bancroft, who was caught on camera attempting to use tape and dirt to change the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa, has been banned for nine months.

He gave a press conference in Perth earlier on Thursday, apologising both for taking part in the tampering.

He also said he was sorry for lying about the use of the sandpaper in the immediate aftermath of the video coming to light, saying he "panicked".

Bancroft will not be joining Somerset because of his role in the saga, the County Championship club said.

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said "a very dark cloud" had overshadowed cricket, leading to "an understandable amount of emotion, deliberation, varying degrees of language and opinions".

  • Video courtesy of Channel 7

Hurry said: "I have spoken numerous times to Cameron since last Saturday, he has spoken very maturely, he shared his deep regret and apologised to everyone associated to the club.

"It's important we remember there is a young man at the centre of all this, he made a poor choice, as I and I'm sure many of us have done during our lives. What's important now, is Cameron is given the appropriate support. There is no doubt in my mind, he will learn from this and he will return stronger.

"I have met this morning with the CEO, club captain and head coach and with the club's best interests at the centre of our decision can confirm Cameron Bancroft will not be our overseas player for the 2018 season."

Batsman Cameron Bancroft has also apologised. Credit: AP

During Smith's press conference in Sydney, he went on to insist that the cheating caught on camera had been the first time Australia had tampered with the ball during his captaincy.

"To my knowledge this has never happened before," he said.

"This is the first time I've seen this happen and I can assure you it will never happen again.

"I don't blame anyone. I'm the captain of the Australian team, it's on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened in Cape Town last Saturday."