Ball Tampering Case: Steve Smith resigns as Australia’s captain with immediate effect

David Warner too steps down as Vice-Captain; Tim Paine to lead Australia in ongoing test against South Africa

Steve Smith has left the captaincy of the Australian team after the ball-tempering controversy, apart from this David Warner, the team’s vice-captain has also left. Instead of Smith, wicketkeeper batsman Tim Paine has been given Australia’s captaincy. This news came before the match on the fourth day of Cape Town Test. The 33-year-old Tim Paine will be Australia’s 46th Test captain.

According to the information released on the website of Cricket Australia (CA), Tim Paine will take over the responsibility of captaincy for the remaining two days (Sunday and Monday) in the third Test match, and Smith and Warner will be on the field as regular players.

CA Chief Executive James Sutherland said, “After discussions with Smith and Warner, the two have agreed to leave their responsibilities in the third Test match.” Sutherland said, “There is a need to continue this Test match. Meanwhile, we will continue to investigate this matter. “