The ball tampering scandal engulfing Australia’s men’s cricket team looks set to claim its first scalp, with reports coming in that national coach Darren Lehmann will resign from his post within the next 24 hours.
The UK Telegraph is reporting that Lehmann has informed Cricket Australia bosses of his decision to step down effective immediately, with the move being the catalyst for CA head James Sutherland to travel to South Africa to address the situation directly.
Currently, Cricket Australia integrity officers are investigating the saga which saw rookie Cameron Bancroft caught tampering with a ball by broadcast cameras, and now-ex captain Steve Smith sensationally revealing the whole plan was concocted by himself and an unnamed “leadership” group. While that investigation has not yet been completed, Lehmann is reportedly set to fall on his own sword nonetheless.
Boof Lehmann had already signalled intentions to step away from the coaching job following next year’s ICC World Cup and the ensuing Ashes campaign in England, but this decision will remove him from the job prior to the upcoming fourth test in South Africa.
Ex-Australian opener Justin Langer is reportedly being courted as an emergency coaching stand-in for the Australian side, which will be captained by wicketkeeper and good Tassie boy Tim Paine for the time being.
Sutherland is scheduled to give an update on the situation on Wednesday morning Australian time. At that time, it’s expected that updates on sanctions for Smith, David Warner, and Bancroft will also be announced. For what it’s worth, the UK Telegraph is also reporting that CA is considering imposing 12-month bans on both Smith and Warner.
The saga continues.
