Australian ball-tampering: Darren Lehmann to quit as Australia coach

Darren Lehmann became head coach in 2013 and won two Ashes series, including the recent 4-0 victory

Lehmann was appointed head coach in 2013, losing his first Ashes series in England 3-0 before regaining the urn with a 5-0 win five months later. Australia also beat England 4-0 down under this winter.

The team won the 2015 World Cup under his leadership and dealt with the death of batsman Phillip Hughes in November 2014.

Asked what his proudest moment in charge was, he replied: “I would say the way we dealt with Phillip Hughes’ passing. We’re only playing a game.”

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said Lehmann had “provided fantastic service” to the team, adding: “His work ethic has been terrific and he genuinely cares for and loves his players.”

Sutherland, who also said he would not be resigning from his role, hopes to have replaced Lehmann before Australia’s limited-overs tour of England this summer. The first one-day international is at The Oval on 13 June.

Sandpaper scandal

During the third Test in Cape Town, television footage caught Bancroft take a piece of sandpaper out of his trouser pocket before rubbing the ball.

Smith said a “leadership group” had known of the plan in advance and Cricket Australia’s investigation found Warner instructed Bancroft in how to carry it out.

Smith and vice-skipper Warner have been banned for a year by Cricket Australia, while Bancroft was given a nine-month ban.

The three had already been sent home from Australia’s tour before the final Test.

Australia’s prime minister Malcolm Turnbull had said the affair “bitterly disappointed the whole nation”.

Smith, 28, and Bancroft, 25, have also been suspended from captaining Australia for at least the next two years.

Warner, 31, will not be considered for any team leadership positions in the future.

BBC