Tearful Australian cricket head coach Darren Lehmann resigns in wake of ball-tampering scandal

Cricket Australia found Lehmann had no knowledge of the incident in Cape Town despite his resignation

Head coach Darren Lehmann has announced he will step down from his role after the fourth and final Test in South Africa following the ball-tampering scandal which has disgraced Australian cricket.

Lehmann, who has been in charge of Australia since June 2013 and oversaw the recent drubbing of England in the Ashes, was cleared of having any involvement in the scandal which occurred in the third Test in Cape Town last week.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said he was “satisfied that Darren Lehmann was not involved and didn’t know anything about the plan” when he arrived in South Africa on Tuesday and that he would remain in his role as head coach.

“I want to clarify that specific point. He sent a message to say ‘what the hell is going on’, except he didn’t use the word ‘hell’,” Sutherland said.

Steve Smith and David Warner received 12-month bans for their part in artificially altering the condition of the ball while Cameron Bancroft, who carried out the plan, got nine months.

Smith and Bancroft gave their press conferences on Thursday and it was after watching those that Lehmann gave an emotional, tear-filled press conference where he announced his decision to stand down from his role.

“Saying goodbye to the players was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do,” he said. “It’s the right time to step away. “I’m ultimately responsible for the culture of the team and I’ve been thinking about my position for a while.

“Despite telling media yesterday that I’m not resigning, after reviewing Steve and Cameron’s hurting it’s only fair that I make this decision.

“This will allow Cricket Australia to complete a full review into the culture of the team and allow them to implement changes to regain the trust of the Australian public.

“This is the right thing for Australian cricket. Like all Australians we’re extremely disappointed and as a team we know we’ve let so many people down and for that we’re truly sorry.

“The players involved have been handed down very serious sanctions and they know they must face serious consequences. They’ve made a grave mistake, but they are not bad people.

“It’s been a wonderful experience coaching the Australian cricket team. I hope the team rebuilds from this and the Australian public find it in their hearts to forgive these young men and get behind the 11 who are going to take the field tomorrow.”

When asked his proudest achievement as head coach, Lehman pointed to the handling of the death of Phillip Hughes, who died in November 2014 after being struck in the head with a ball while batting.

“I would say the way we dealt with Phillip Hughes’s passing,” he said. “We’re only playing a game.”