Australia cricket captain Smith and two players sent home

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The fallout from the Australian cricket team’s scandal continues after players were charged with altering the condition of the ball on the third day of the third test at Cape Town.

On Tuesday, the three players involved, Captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were sent home from the national team's tour of South Africa and will face further punishment from Cricket Australia who has described their actions as damaging to the integrity of one of the sport's biggest teams.

Chief Executive James Sutherland of Cricket Australia speaks to media. /CGTN Photo

In Smith's absence, wicket-keeper Tim Paine has taken the captaincy on a temporary basis. Coach Darren Lehmann has dismissed rumors he was set to resign by the end of the week and is staying with the team in Johannesburg.

As of today, all three have been suspended for one test by the International Cricket Council and received a large fine. The ruling of Cricket Australia will come in the next 24 hours according to its Chief Executive James Sutherland.

The 52-year-old former fast bowler has said he is "angry and disappointed" by the player’s actions, but in a press conference yesterday, he refused to use the word “cheating” when describing their behavior.