Australian test cricketers are reportedly furious with Steve Smith for implicating them with the ball-tampering scandal that has shocked the sporting world.

Smith said the leadership group, comprising of himself, vice-captain David Warner, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, all knew of the plan to instruct Cameron Bancroft to interfere with the ball to create reverse swing during the third test against South Africa in Cape Town.

But the Daily Telegraph reports that Starc and Hazlewood, in particular, are fuming with Smith for linking their names with the scandal.

It’s claimed one of the fast bowling duo is seeking contact with the Australian Cricketers Association to force Cricket Australia to clear them of any involvement.

Captain Smith and vice-captain Warner both stood down from their senior roles in the 322-run defeat to South Africa in the third test, so wicketkeeper/batsman Tim Paine led the Australian side.

Smith has been suspended for the fourth test in Johannesburg starting on Friday and Warner won’t be allowed to play.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland is joining the organisation’s head of integrity, Iain Roy, and the executive general manager of team performance, Pat Howard, in Cape Town in assessing what happened at Newlands on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).

This first appeared at Stuff.co.nz. See the original here.

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