Cricket Australia say ball-tampering review will ‘commence immediately’

Australia lost their captain, vice-captain and head coach after the scandal

Australia were caught using sandpaper to illegally alter the ball

Cricket Australia's promised independent review in the wake of the ball-tampering fiasco in South Africa will centre on culture and governance issues while there will be a separate investigation into player conduct.

Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all handed sizeable suspensions for their roles in an attempt to manipulate the ball with yellow sandpaper during a controversial third Test in Cape Town in March.

The fallout also led to Darren Lehmann resigning as head coach and has prompted CA to commission two concurrent and interrelated reviews in an attempt to prevent a repeat occurrence.

Sydney-based organisation, The Ethics Centre, led by executive director Dr Simon Longstaff, will oversee the independent organisational review, while the player assessment will be headed up by former Test opener Rick McCosker.

Australia skipper Tim Paine, paceman Pat Cummins, former internationals George Bailey and Shane Watson, women's vice-captain Rachael Haynes and the successor to Lehmann, yet to be named, complete the player review panel.

CA chairman David Peever said: "We understand and share the disappointment of fans and the broader Australian community about these events. The board is determined to do all we can to prevent such events from ever happening again.

"We have full confidence that Simon and his team, along with Rick and the player panel will be able to fully review and identify recommendations for improvement.

"The reviews will commence immediately, and we fully anticipate being able to begin implementing findings before the start of the 2018-19 cricket season."