Australian cricket coach resigns over match-fixing scandal

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – The fallout from one of the biggest match-fixing scandals in recent history continues to be felt with Darren Lehmann on Thursday announcing that he is stepping down as coach of the Australian cricket team.

The resignation came after the entire squad was shamed by a ball-tampering incident in the Test match against South Africa in Cape Town over the weekend.

A global television audience of many millions witnessed Australian player Cameron Bancroft scrapping the ball with a hidden piece of sandpaper to affect its flight.

Team captain Steve Smith and vice captain David Warner who were involved in the scheme were banned from international and domestic cricket for a year, while Bancroft received a nine month ban.

They have also been barred from competing in this year's Indian Premier League, losing contracts worth nearly US$2 million each.

Smith was protected by a large group of South African policeman as he boarded a flight in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

Warner on Thursday apologised for the incident which has shocked the cricketing world. “Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket,” he said
-0- PANA CU/VAO 29March2018