By Sam Ferris, in Johannesburg

– to fly home from South Africa; Renshaw, Burns and Maxwell called up as replacements

STEVE Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have been suspended by Cricket Australia (CA) for the fourth Test in Johannesburg for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal.

After a CA investigation, all three players were found guilty of breaching article 2. 3. 5 of Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct and will fly home from South Africa today (South Africa time).

Smith has also been stripped of the captaincy for at least the final Test in South Africa, with Tim Paine endorsed by the board as his successor and Australia’s 46th Test captain after he acted in the role on day four in Cape Town.

Queensland pair Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns, and Victoria’s Glenn Maxwell have been called up as replacements for the banned trio.

“Earlier yesterday, I received an update about the investigation being conducted by our Head of Integrity, Iain Roy, and in conducting his interviews he was accompanied by two ICC integrity officers,” Sutherland told reporters in Johannesburg.

“While that investigation is not complete, preliminary findings have been considered and discussed by the CA board earlier today.

“The key finding is that prior knowledge of the ball-tampering incident was limited to three players – captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

“No other players or support staff had prior knowledge and this includes Darren Lehmann, who despite inaccurate media reports, has not resigned from his position.

“He will continue to coach the Australian men’s team under his current contract.”

Sutherland said that Smith, Warner and Bancroft have been charged with CA Code of Conduct breaches and added their respective, “significant” sanctions will be revealed in the next 24 hours.

“The players involved have officially been reported for breaching Cricket Australia’s code of conduct under article 2. 3. 5.,” Sutherland said.

“The substance of the offence can be covered by terms and I paraphrase somewhat from the article: Conduct at any time that is contrary to the spirit of the game, unbecoming of a representative, harmful to the interests of the game, or brings the game into disrepute.

“Once the investigation has concluded in the next 24 hours, sanctions will be announced and will go through the Cricket Australia code of conduct process.”

Smith had already been suspended for the final Test at The Wanderers by International Cricket Council CEO David Richardson on Sunday, while Bancroft was fined and handed three demerit points to his disciplinary record.

All three players now face lengthy bans from international cricket.

The incident that led to the suspensions took place during South Africa’s innings on Saturday afternoon when Bancroft was seen on television holding a foreign object while rubbing the ball, before hiding the object in his pocket, then inside his trousers.

As soon as the incident was shown on the big screen, the player was questioned in the presence of his captain by the two on-field umpires, Richard Illingworth and Nigel Llong, who along with third umpire Ian Gould and fourth umpire Allahudien Palekar, later charged Bancroft.(Cricket com.au)