5 captains who stepped down from their positions after controversies

2. Steve Smith – Australia (2018)

Back in 2018, former Australian captain, Steve Smith, was embroiled in the sandpaper scandal, which shook the entire cricket world. As a result, he and vice-captain David Warner resigned from their roles immediately, accepting responsibility for the actions and admitting that the team’s leadership group made the plans.

Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera hiding a yellow object, which he later admitted was a yellow tape that was part of their kit. At the press conference, the opening batsman and Smith admitted altering the condition of the ball in the middle of the match.

Smith admitted being guilty of his actions and he further quoted, “We spoke about it at Lunch and I’m not proud of it. It’s not within the spirit of the game, my integrity or the team’s integrity, the leadership group’s integrity has all come to question and rightly so. It’s not on and it certainly won’t happen again I can promise you that”.

As a result, Smith and Warner were barred from captaincy duties and eventually suspended from all international and domestic cricket for a year. Cameron Bancroft, an opening batsman, who was also involved, was handed a nine-month suspension from all forms of cricket.