Steve Smith escaped with a slap on the wrist by the ICC for his role in the ball-tampering scandal — but it could get much worse for the Australian captain and his vice-captain David Warner.
David Warner's hellish tour to South Africa has seen him lose favour with teammates after fresh reports of the 31-year-old being the main instigator in the third Test's ball tampering scandal emerged.
Fox Sports Australia reported several of Australia's Test team were unaware of the plot to tamper the balluntil footage emerged on the big screen, leaving a large portion of the squad furious at the former Aussie vice-captain.
Warner reportedly removed himself from a WhatsApp group with fellow players, while one source claimed the opening batsman had "gone rogue".
Warner then rubbed salt into his teammates' wounds by reportedly swilling champagne with friends at the Aussie team's Cape Town hotel following the international outrage.
A number of his teammates reportedly asked Cricket Australia bosses to "remove" him from the hotel, warning of an incoming "incident" if he stayed.
David Warner looks set to miss the fourth test in South Africa as a result of Australia's damning ball tampering controversy over the weekend, news.com.au reports.
Veteran cricket writer Robert Craddock revealed Warner will be all but joining Steve Smith on the sidelines for the Johannesburg Test after Cricket Australia spent Monday deliberating on the former vice-skipper's future.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland is on a plane overnight to South Africa to further decide the future of the Australian team after the latest scandal.
Smith, who was handed a one-match ban by the ICC, is expected to lose his captaincy as pressure mounts on Sutherland to set an example.
A lonely David Warner has reportedly gone rogue. Photo / Nine
"Iain Roy and Pat Howard arrive in Cape Town this morning local time, and Iain will immediately conduct his inquiries around the specifics of the ball tampering incident," Sutherland said.
"I will arrive (in Johannesburg) Tuesday morning local time to meet Iain to understand the findings of the investigation to that point, and to determine recommended outcomes.
"We know Australians want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings and next steps, as a matter of urgency."
Smith stood down from his captaincy role at the Rajasthan Royals, while Warner's fate at SunRisers Hyderabad will be decided by the IPL club upon cricket Australia's verdict over the coming days.
