Cricket Australia boss addresses Aussie cheating scandal

SYDNEY, Mar 25 (Xinhua) -- The chief executive officer of Cricket Australia James Sutherland has said Sunday's 'ball-tampering' scandal is a "dark day for the game in Australia."

During the third Test against South Africa, Australian Cameron Bancroft was caught reaching into his pocket and using a foreign object to scuff the surface of the ball.

"One of the unique things about the game of cricket is that it's to be played not only within the laws of the game, but in the spirit of the game," Sutherland said.

"And activities on the field yesterday in Cape Town are neither within the laws of the game or within the spirit of the game."

"And for us, at Cricket Australia, that's extremely disappointing, but more importantly, for Australian cricket fans, it's extremely disappointing as well."

At the press conference immediately following the day's play, startled reporters listened to Bancroft and Australian team captain Steve Smith admit to cheating.

"I saw an opportunity to potentially use some tape and get some granules from the rough patches of the wicket and try to change the ball condition," Bancroft said.

"It didn't work and once I was sighted on the [stadium] screen I panicked quite a lot, and that resulted in me shoving it [the tape] down my trousers."

Smith also added that "the leadership group knew about it" and "spoke about it at lunch."

Despite the shocking confession, Smith said he has no intention to retire as skipper.

"I won't be considering stepping down, I still think I'm the right person for the job."

But many former players have spoken out about his leadership following the incident.

Recently retired former captain Michael Clarke even revealed that he would consider returning to the role, describing the team as the "laughing stock of world sport" on a local television program.

Fast bowling legend Michael Johnson tweeted he was "shocked and disappointed," while Australia's greatest ever wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist said it's unlikely Smith can continue as skipper.

The impact of the scandal has been so far reaching that even Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has weighed in on the embarrassing incident.

"I've expressed to him [Cricket Australia chairman David Peever] very clearly and unequivocally my disappointment and my concern about the events in South Africa," Turnbull said.

"It's their responsibility to deal with it but I have to say the whole nation who holds those who wear the baggy green up on a pedestal -- about as high as you can get in Australia, higher than any politician that's for sure -- this is a shocking disappointment and it's wrong and I look forward to Cricket Australia taking decisive action soon."

In response, Sutherland has sent officials to investigate the incident before he makes a decision on the players' futures.

Meanwhile, Bancroft has been charged with ball-tampering by the International Cricket Committee and will await a ruling on a suspension.

Play will recompense on day four tonight (AEDT), with South Africa 5-238 in their second innings, ahead by 294 runs. Enditem