Darren Lehmann quits as head coach of Australian cricket team following ball-tampering row

Johannesburg, March 30: Days after Australian players including Steve Smith and David Warner were suspended from the International cricket for one year over the ball-tampering row, Darren Lehmann on Thursday announced of stepping down as a head coach.

 

Notably, Lehman was cleared of any wrongdoing in the ball-tampering scandal, with the coach having had no knowledge of what Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft, and David Warner were planning, though he decided to step down as a head coach.

Darren Lehman in his statement said, “I just want to let you know this will be by my last Test as head coach if the Australian cricket team as I’m stepping down.” “After seeing events in the media today with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, the feeling is that Australian cricket needs to move forward and this is the right thing to do,” he added. Lehman concluded saying, “I hope the team rebuilds from this and the Australian public find it in their hearts to forgive these young men and get behind the XI that are going to take the field tomorrow."

Earlier, in the day, charged with ball tampering former Australian skipper held a press conference and apologized for the incident and took full responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal engulfing Australian cricket.

On March 24, Australian player Cameron Bancroft and skipper Steve Smith admitted tampering of a ball during the third day of the third Test against South Africa. Steve Smith said, "We made a poor choice. We deeply regret our actions. Coaches weren't involved. It was purely the players in the leadership group.” "I can promise you it won't happen again. It's the first time this has happened,” he added.

During the play a ball was thrown to Cameron Bancroft, television footage showed Bancroft take an object out of his pocket before rubbing the ball, then putting something back in his pocket. After footage of the incident was broadcast, a message appeared to be sent out to him on the field. He put the tape down the front of his trousers before being spoken to by on-field umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth.

However, at that time he turned out his pockets, revealing only a black cloth. The field umpires did not change the ball. Later, Steve Smith stepped down from his position of the captain of the Rajasthan Royals team. David warner also stepped down from his position of the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

BACKGROUND:

Lehmann took over the team weeks before the 2013 Ashes series. During his reign, Australia won two home Ashes series by a combined 9-0 margin, won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and were briefly ranked No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings.