Ball tampering: Tearful Australia coach Darren Lehmann quits over cheat scandal

Lehmann says he came to his decision after watching news coverage of Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft returning home having confessed to cheating in the third test last weekend

Darren Lehmann. Pic/ AFP

Australia cricket coach Darren Lehmann says he will quit after the final Test against South Africa, citing the emotional stress of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Lehmann says he came to his decision after watching news coverage of Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft returning home having confessed to cheating in the third test last weekend.

A tearful Lehmann insisted the decision to quit was his, and he was not fired by his bosses over the scandal that has plunged the team into crisis. Captain Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Bancroft all received bans.

The final Test in Johannesburg starts tomorrow. South Africa lead the series 2-1.

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