Monday 2 April 2018 13:55, UK
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland admits "cheating" is an accurate term to describe the conduct of disgraced cricketers Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to use sandpaper to change the condition of the ball while Australia were in the field during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Smith was stripped of the captaincy and banned for 12 months alongside vice-captain Warner. Bancroft has been handed a nine-month suspension. The bans will include all top-level cricket in Australia for the next year.
Sutherland was reluctant to describe their actions as cheating earlier this week but reversed course at a press conference in Cape Town on Wednesday.
"I have spoken to all of the three players before they left," Sutherland told reporters. "They are very sad and disappointed and remorseful for what has happened.
"Under the code, it specifically refers to these practices - in which we have made the charges and offered the sanctions - as cheating, so I think people will want to use their own words but cheating is certainly one of them that would be appropriate in the circumstances.
"Clearly, this has caused a huge amount of damage to the game of cricket as a whole and certainly Australian cricket.
"And it has compromised the fans' confidence and faith in cricket."
When Smith and Bancroft faced the media on Saturday after Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball, they claimed he had used sticky yellow tape but the investigation by Cricket Australia revealed it was sandpaper.
Sutherland confirmed Smith and Bancroft lied and said that had been factored into their punishment.
"There was an element of courage in taking on the point and owning up to what happened but there was also unfortunately an element of mistruth in that process," Sutherland admitted.
"They were things that were taken into consideration when the board went through its process of finalising and then offering sanctions."
In the footage from the third Test, Australia head coach Darren Lehmann can be seen communicating with 12th man Peter Handscomb, who then runs onto the pitch with a message for Bancroft.
Following that exchange, Bancroft removed the sandpaper from his right pocket and put it down the front of his trousers.
But Sutherland insists Lehmann was asking what was going on rather than attempting to aid in any cover-up.
When asked about Lehmann's position, Sutherland said: "Darren Lehmann is the coach. He was not in any way involved in the incident. Ian Roy has satisfied himself on that and he continues as coach under his contract.
"He sent a message to say 'what in the hell is going on?'
"Through Ian's investigation, that was found to be a fact. I want to make that point very clearly that Darren made those comments.
"Ian was certainly satisfied that Darren was not involved and did not know anything of the plan."
Australia's conduct has led some, including former England captain Nasser Hussain, to question whether such tactics were used during their 4-0 Ashes series success over England this winter.
Sutherland believes this was the first time something like this happened, but said Cricket Australia will investigate if credible reports stating otherwise emerge.
"I don't think there is any evidence that we have seen or heard in the investigation or in Ian's work," Sutherland said, when asked if this has happened before.
"Clearly the primary focus of his investigation is very much about the events of Cape Town but also his responsibility was to ask questions more broadly.
"To take that a step further, if there are credible allegations or suggestions to the contrary, we have a responsibility to investigate them.
"So it doesn't necessarily stop here but through the investigation thus far we are satisfied this is an isolated incident."
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