Ball Tampering Fallout: Smith, Warner Step Down As Captain, Vice Captain. Tim Paine To Lead

Going by the populist notion, ICC should come down heavy on the Australian captain

By: Ankit Banerjee |
March 25, 2018 5:27 pm

In a damage-control exercise, Cricket Australia has acted quick and fast, following the ball-tampering episode. Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner have been asked to step down. Tim Paine will now lead the side for the remaining two days. Even before the statement came out, the Prime Minister of Australia had also asked Steve Smith to be sacked as captain following the ball-tampering saga. Along with the PM, it seemed the world was echoing the same sentiments once fans felt they were duped.

BREAKING: Massive news from Cape Town as Tim Paine is named captain for the remainder of the Test: https://t.co/Tg5gGWwdf8 #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/4iWWuIy6Hw

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 25, 2018

Earlier, both Smith and Bancroft owned up to their guilt and admitted that they had been part of the ball-tampering episode. This is not the first time Smith has been involved in an incident of such nature.

Steve Smith and David Warner have taken the field this morning, but it’s Tim Paine in charge for the Aussies.

More here: https://t.co/Tg5gGWwdf8 #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/aPjh6p5vRW

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 25, 2018

ALSO READ: Ball Tampering Row To Brain-Fade Saga, Times When Steve Smith Breached ICC’s Rulebook

Both the cricketers joined their team members of the field on the 4th day of the test following the incident. It is now also going to be interesting to see ICC’s take on this incident. Going by the populist notion, ICC should come down heavy on the Australian captain.