Bancroft must be captaincy material: Cricket fraternity mock CA’s decision to not sack Darren Lehmann

Australia's cricket coach Darren Lehmann (L) chatting with Steve Smith (R) (Photo Credit-AFP)


James Sutherland CEO of Cricket Australia (CA) announced on March 27 that Darren Lehmann would continue as head coach and complete the current contract ending in 2019 as he had no “prior knowledge” of the ball-tampering incident.

CA’s decision to sack former captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and young batsman Cameron Bancroft from the Aussie team but not Lehmann has left the cricket fraternity shocked and baffled.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

“To many reputations on the line for the full story not to come out. Cape Town change room is a very small place!,” Michael Clarke wrote on Twitter.

“The truth, The full story, Accountability and Leadership- until the public get this Australian cricket is in deep shit!” Clarke added.

Even former England cricketers Michael Vaughn and Kevin Pietersen were shocked with the decision

“Only 3 people knew …….. #MyArse,” Michael Vaughn wrote.

“Cam Bancroft must be captaincy material … In the Leadership group in only his 7th Test … !!!” Vaughan added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will be sent home on Thursday as Cricket Australia came down heavily on the errant captain, his deputy and the young opener for orchestrating a ball-tampering conspiracy against South Africa, sullying the image of a cricket loving nation.

However, chief coach Darren Lehmann has been given a clean chit for the time being, as Cricket Australia concluded its preliminary investigations on Wednesday.

Tim Paine will captain Australia in the final Test match with reinforcements in middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell along with openers Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw scheduled to arrive on Thursday.

“All three players (Smith, Warner, Bancroft) that have been reported will leave tomorrow. Renshaw, Maxwell and Burns will arrive in South Africa in the next 24 hours,” CA chief executive James Sutherland told a packed media conference here.

“Time Paine has been officially appointed captain of the Test team,” he added.

Sutherland informed that apart from the trio, no other player in the group had any prior knowledge about the wrongdoing.

-With PTI inputs.