Australia Skipper set to lose Australia captaincy and could face year-long ban

Capetown, Mar 27: The cricket world was shocked on Saturday when Asutralian Cricketer Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to change the state of the ball on day three of the third Test against South Africa after he rubbed a piece of yellow sticky tape with dirt stuck to it on the rough side of the ball in order to try and produce reverse swing.

In this regard, Steve Smith looks set to be permanently stripped of the Australian captaincy and could face a ban of up to a year from representing the country following his leading role in the ball-tampering scandal that has engulfed the tour of South Africa.

Darren Lehmann was said by Smith to have no knowledge of the plan but is under fierce pressure with reports suggesting he will resign on Tuesday.

However, Cricket Australia are expected to take much stronger action, with the 28-year-old facing a suspension of up to a year.

Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland is due to arrive in Johannesburg on Tuesday to meet with their head of integrity, Iain Roy, to discuss the incident and the subsequent investigation. The scandal has drawn heavy criticism from back home in Australia, with prime minster Malcolm Turnbull labelling it "a disgrace" on the country.