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JOHANNESBURG. – Australia captain Steve Smith will be sent home from the tour of South Africa for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, but coach Darren Lehmann will remain in charge, team management said yesterday.

Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, the player caught on camera attempting to doctor the ball with a piece of tape, will all return home.

“I understand and share the anger and disappointment of Australian fans,” Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said at a Press conference in Johannesburg.

“On behalf of Cricket Australia, I want to apologise to all Australians that these events have taken place, especially to all the kids.”

Further sanctions are expected to be announced within the next 24 hours, Sutherland said.

Smith has already been suspended for one test and docked his entire match fee by the International Cricket Council in a scandal which has seen Australian cricket’s reputation dragged through the mud.

Sutherland said Lehmann had no knowledge of the plans to tamper the ball.

There has been outrage across the world, including a possible ban for the Aussies from the ICC Cricket World Cup in England next year.

Given the fierce rivalry between Australia and England, there are fears that the fallout from this farce could drag on for months and could overshadow the ICC Cricket World Cup next year.

In the event that the Aussies chose, or are barred from taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup next year, to cleanse their house, Zimbabwe – who finished as the highest-ranked side in the ICC Qualifier they hosted, could be invited to take their place.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan says he is “pretty sure” Australia were tampering with the ball during the recent Ashes series against the English.

“I can’t believe that this hasn’t happened before,” Vaughan told the BBC.

“I look at the amount of tape some of the fielders have worn, particularly during the Ashes series, mid-on, mid-off. (You) don’t have to name names but they know who they are.

“I’m pretty sure that it was going on during the Ashes series. But it wasn’t the reason why England lost 4-0. They still would have lost that series.”

Joe Root, who captained in Australia, has said he saw no reason to suspect Australia of ball-tampering during the series.

Bancroft used a strip of yellow sticky tape he had covered with dirt granules to illegally scratch the rough side of the ball, thereby facilitating more swing for bowlers.

Vaughan said Australia had broken an unwritten rule by taking an object onto the pitch to tamper with the ball even though he admitted many teams used “tricks” during matches.

“You’d see the ball get bounced into the rough to create reverse swing, you’d see sweets in the mouth, you’d see saliva put on the ball to try and keep that shine for longer,” said                           Vaughan.

“Is that right? Many will say not, but that’s what has happened in the game of cricket for many, many years and will continue to happen, because it’s very hard to control.

“One unwritten rule in the game is that you don’t take a piece or an object out there to tamper with the ball, and I’m pretty sure the Australians and the players involved in that leadership group will face the consequences.”

Vaughan does not agree with suggestions that Smith should be handed a life ban but believes the legacy of this Australia side will be forever tainted by the scandal.

“It doesn’t really matter what they achieve in their careers,” he said.

“They’re going be known as a team that cheated.” – AFP-Sports Reporter.