Australia cricket scandal: Darren Lehmann spared punishment

Embattled Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann has been spared any immediate punishment following the Australian team’s attempt to tamper with the ball on day three of the third test against South Africa in Cape Town.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has cleared Lehmann (pictured above) of “any prior knowledge of the plan to ball-tamper”, however a broader investigation into “team culture” will be launched to decide Lehmann’s fate.

A number of former cricketers, including Bob Willis and Kevin Pietersen, have questioned Cricket Australia’s decision to keep Lehmann on as coach.

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“I find that almost unbelievable and I think Lehmann is very lucky to survive,” Willis told Sky Sports. “I would have thought his credibility was shot… he is lucky to get off scot-free.”

The three players involved in the ball-tampering – captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft – have been sent home from South Africa “in disgrace”, and are likely to face further heavy sanctions from Cricket Australia.

Smith and Warner were both removed from their positions within the leadership group by Cricket Australia, with wicketkeeper Tim Paine named as captain of the Australian side for the final test in the series.

Smith has also been handed a one-match ban and was fined 100% of his match fee by the ICC, while Bancroft was fined 75% of his match fee and given three demerit points.