While David Warner refused on Saturday to divulge his exact involvement in the ball tampering crisis that has rocked Australian cricket, details are starting to emerge from the events of last Saturday at Newlands.

[wp_ad_camp_1]

It is revealed that Steve Smith was not aware of key elements of Australia’s ball tampering plot until he saw the incident on the Newlands big screen, according to Cricket Australia’s investigation.

Steve Smith was not fully aware of Australia’s ball tampering plot, a Sydney Morning Herald report said quoting Cricket Australia’s investigation into the matter.

[wp_ad_camp_1]

“It is believed they found Smith had expressed his dislike of the plan but did not attempt to stop it. It is understood CA’s investigation found that the sandpaper was used twice on the ball, which umpires believed had not been sufficiently altered to warrant replacement, and had come from a kit bag, though it is unclear who supplied it for use.”

It’s understood CA’s investigation found that the sandpaper was used twice on the ball, which umpires believed had not been sufficiently altered to warrant replacement, and had come from a kit bag though it’s unclear who supplied it for use. Sandpaper is commonly used by players to smooth their bats.

[wp_ad_camp_1]

According to Fairfax Media (who co-own Sydney Morning Herald), investigators were told Smith did not know how the plan would be carried out. He became full aware of the plan after Bancroft was exposed on the big screen.

The sandpaper had come from a kit bag though it’s unclear who supplied it for use. Sandpaper is commonly used by players to smooth their bats.

[wp_ad_camp_1]

The revelation about Smith is consistent with CA’s charge sheet, which alleged he had “knowledge of a potential plan” to tamper with the ball and did not “take steps to seek to prevent the development and implementation of that plan”.