Aussie players wanted Warner thrown out of team hotel in wake of ball-tampering saga
While Smith admitted that he was a part of the plan to change the ball's condition, it was Warner who first suggested something like this.
Cape Town: There’s trouble if already there was not any less. The ball-tampering saga, executed by Cameron Bancroft on Day three of the third South Africa versus Australia Test in Cape Town, and supported by Steve Smith-led Australian team’s “leadership group” is set to take another ugly turn as it is now reported that the Australian players wanted Smith’s deputy and senior member of the squad, David Warner, to be removed from the team hotel for partying with his friends over champagne following team’s thumping 322-run defeat at Newlands.
It is also learnt that while Smith admitted that he was a part of the plan to change the condition of the ball, it was Warner who first suggested something like this could be done.
The Australian vice-captain apparently also voluntarily removed himself from team’s WhatsApp group as the cricket world awaits Cricket Australian CEO James Sutherland to make an announcement about the punishment for Smith, Warner, Bancroft, coach Darren Lehmann and those who were a part of the decision to opt for ball-tampering in the penultimate Test.
A Fox Sports report claimed that players informed the bosses at Cricket Australia that they should remove Warner from the team hotel; else there will be an incident between him and the other members of the squad. Warner had “gone rogue” since the time the ball-tampering row broke out, added the report.
A Fairfax Media report claims that it was Warner’s idea, following which Bancroft used yellow tape to change the condition of the ball. Smith, reputedly, foolishly agreed to implement it, added the report.
However, the Warner camp has denied the claims of him being the instigator, saying everyone, including the pace bowlers – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were aware of the plan.
However, it is also learnt that spinner Nathan Lyon, who happens to be team’s most capped player, and Hazlewood and Starc have distanced themselves about knowing of the ploy soon after Smith’s comment about “leadership group” was in the loop.