Twitter Reactions: Steve Smith steps down as Australian captain in the ongoing Test

The Australian cricket has been jolted severely by the recent reveals made in the ball tampering scandal. The players of the Australian side, including captain Steve Smith and the vice-captain David Warner, have been found guilty of being involved in the ‘sandpaper gate’. During the course of the ongoing third Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, the Aussies were found to have tampered the condition of the ball.

The scene came to the fore during the third day’s play in the match. Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft was seen getting the ball thrown at him after every delivery bowled by the Australian bowlers. Soon, video grabs surfaced the media that clearly showed Bancroft using an external object to affect the condition of the ball. Later, it was ascertained that he used sandpaper on the ball.

He did so in order to wear away the condition of the ball to make it conducive to reverse swing. Later in the day, the Aussies were in the firing range of the media personnel in the press conference. There, Bancroft admitted to his offence. Also, Australian skipper Steve Smith admitted to his offence of being in the know how of the things and yet going forward with it.

Steve Smith had remarked that it was the leadership group of the team that had instructed Cameron Bancroft to use these tactics in the match. This has now called for widespread criticism of the Australian team and their captain as well. In fact, several government agencies have also called for the sacking of Smith as the Australian captain. The decision from the Cricket Australia remains to be seen.

For now, Steve Smith and his deputy, David Warner, have stepped down from their respective roles of captain and vice-captain for the remainder of the ongoing Test match. They made the announcements on the penultimate day of the Test match. Furthermore, Tim Paine has been named as the captain of the team for the remainder of this Test.

Here is how the fans have reacted to this move by Smith and Warner:

It was only a few months ago the Aussie Leadership group held the CA Board to ransom for a better deal so I am pretty sure they won’t have as many friends as they think at CA … !!!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 25, 2018

Some heads will roll and rightly so … But you have to think every single player & management knew what they were trying to do .. 12th man Handscombe on the Walkie Talkie was in on it .. So In my eyes they are all as bad as each other .. #Cheats

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 25, 2018

Hahahahahahaa Steve Smith and David Warner you disgraceful pair of knobs!! #BallTampering

— Sonal 😀 (@Sonal__94) March 25, 2018

Steve Smith and David Warner have stood down as captain and vice-captain for the remainder of this Test, Tim Paine appointed as captain.#SAvsAUS

— Naviguys (@naviguys) March 25, 2018

#SteveSmith and #DavidWarner stand down as Aussie captain and vice-captain. @rajasthanroyals and @SunRisers must also look for replacements. @IPL

— Ajeet Tiru (@atiru51) March 25, 2018

The cheaters Steve Smith and David Warner have been demoted from being captain & vice captain respectively. Australian team is in deep ?
???#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/MW2Eg2R7QU

— Ta Sgcobzin (@TaSgcobzin) March 25, 2018

~ Tim Paine, Then and Now..
Tim Paine to lead Australia in Cape Town. Steven Smith and David Warner step down as captain and vice-captain. #SteveSmith #SandpaperGate #SAvAUS #BallTampering #Bancroft #Australia #TimPaine pic.twitter.com/ItDJDabKJx

— Amudhan Karunanidhi (@_amudhank) March 25, 2018

No one saw such an implosion happening in Aussie #Cricket. This is big! Steve Smith and David Warner have stepped down with effect.

What happens to their role in forthcoming #IPL with @rajasthanroyals and @SunRisers respectively?

What does @ICC and @CricketAus do next?

— Nachiket Deuskar (@PartTimeBowler) March 25, 2018

Very excited to hear that dumb twerp Steve Smith is sacked from Australian cricket team. David Warner is a bloody idiot. James Sutherland CEO deserves to be sacked also. They are a disgrace to AUSTRALIANS. Aus Cricket and players not worth their wages.

— Sophia Holm (@141b56e81c1447a) March 25, 2018

Le bhai, our complaints were addressed partially, #SteveSmith and #DavidWarner both stripped off roles for remainder of the 3rd test… Lol pic.twitter.com/a2bBrGkWRS

— Jitender Ahuja Jeet (@JitenderKAhuja) March 25, 2018

Sack the pair of them at the end of the test. 12 month international bans for all culprits and they forego their entire tour payments to South African Junior Cricket. #SteveSmith #DavidWarner #cheats

— Brian Blacklock (@blackers61) March 25, 2018

Steve Smith and David Warner resigned from their posts of captain and vice captain, respectively. The resignation was tendered over ball tempering scandal during the ongoing test match between Aus and SA. Massive respect for showing this level of character.

— Wolf (@PrescribedMyths) March 25, 2018

So Steve Smith and David Warner have all stepped down Finally… pic.twitter.com/hdtONnxSu1

— Issa Queen ?? Mak_G (@Da_MaK_G) March 25, 2018

Steve Smith and David Warner have QUIT Australian cricket for the rest of the season due to cheating scandal

— Sports Today Live (@SportsLIVEToday) March 25, 2018

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