Aston Villa have been on the rise following the arrival of Unai Emery, who has surpassed expectation since his return to the Premier League.

The Spaniard was the manager of Arsenal for 18 months before returning to Spain and has changed the scenery at Villa Park in a short amount of time after being welcomed to the Midlands back in October 2022.

Along with the improvements he made through the squad on the pitch, the four-time Europa League winner had a strong summer of business in the transfer window, welcoming five new faces.

While Villa have seen a positive time in the market of late, it hasn’t always been that way, with some deals prevailing as awful moves and a huge loss of finances to players that did not cut it.

One departure earlier this summer was one with the feel of being a long time coming, as Wesley Moraes was picked up by Stoke City in July.

How much did Wesley Moraes cost Aston Villa?

Signed by the Villans in 2019 from Club Brugge, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the striker’s arrival, who was part of a £22m deal.

The forward’s talents attracted Dean Smith after his impressive 2018/19 campaign in Belgium, where he scored ten goals and registered nine assists in the Jupiler Pro League.

At just 22, the Brazilian made a fast start to life in England, scoring four times within his first eight Premier League appearances, giving those associated with Villa something to be excited about.

Things quickly came crashing down for the striker, as he suffered a traumatic ACL injury against Burnley during the fixture that he scored in, with the injury being recognisably serious due to the mechanism of the challenge.

The £35k-per-week forward was absent for nearly 500 days as he battled rehabilitation and searched for match fitness, following an injury that subsequently ended his career at Villa.

Following his return, the former Brugge star played just 15 minutes in the Premier League in claret and blue, before heading out on three different loan spells in a bid to rediscover his form. That, however, was not forthcoming.

While he was away, the Brazilian managed to score just six goals in nearly three years, suggesting the toll that the injury had on his ability.

Picking up £1.8m a year from his salary at Villa, where he spent two full years and featured 26 times, the £35k-per-week forward cost the club an average of £846k per game he played when the aforementioned fee is considered. Indeed, this was unfortunately a deal that turned out to be horrendous for all involved.

Why was Wesley worth that much?

On his day, Wesley showcased the damage he could cause to the opposition with his fearless approach to play, however, his Premier League career turned out to ultimately be a failure.

While it was no fault of the player, who sustained such a horrific injury so early into his time at Villa, his services cost the club a pretty penny.

It’s hoped that the Brazil international with one cap can get the ball rolling again at Stoke, with manager Alex Neil hoping that the 26-year-old can “take off again” with the Potters.

Everyone associated with Aston Villa would relish in seeing their former player succeed once more, drawing a line under the expenses lost to facilitate his injury-riddled time with the club.

Alex Hales has become the latest England player to choose a future as a white-ball specialist.Just days after Adil Rashid announced he would play only white-ball cricket for Yorkshire this season, Hales has agreed a white-ball only contract with Nottinghamshire until the end of the 2019 season. A club statement clarifies: “He will not play red-ball cricket.”While Hales and Rashid had both lost their places in England’s Test team (Hales played the last of his 11 Tests against Pakistan in August 2016), a recall for either of them was far from impossible. Hales had been considered for a place in the Ashes squad and will have noted that none of his rivals took the opportunity to make that spot their own.But with the growth in T20 leagues promising a lucrative future for those with the talent – and Hales, as the first England player to make a T20I century and, until recently, the holder of the highest score by an England batsman in an ODI, clearly has the talent – he may have concluded that the benefits of improvement in red-ball cricket do not match the rewards for his continued success in white-ball cricket. He may also have reasoned that the ability to concentrate on white-ball skills without the complications or demands of red-ball cricket would allow him greater scope for improvement.It might also be relevant that Hales missed out on an IPL deal this year. If he can demonstrate improved T20 form – and assure potential bidders that he will not be required to leave the tournament early to report for county duty – he will surely make himself more attractive to potential suitors in future years.”Alex is entitled to make himself available for whatever format he wants to play, and we respect his decision,” Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, Mick Newell, said. “He’s an outstanding white-ball player and we look forward to him helping us win more trophies in that format of the game.”Hales had previously vowed to reinvent himself as a middle-order batsman in first-class cricket. Having accepted that his game was just a little loose for the demands of opening, he had talked of moving back down the order – it had always been his preferred place to bat in first-class cricket – and aiming for a spot in England’s Test middle-order. The reality of that, however – long days in the field; long days working on technique and negotiating the moving ball in early-season conditions without any guarantee of success – has lost out to the possibilities presented by a future as a limited-overs specialist.”For the next 18 months I’m excited to focus entirely on limited-overs cricket,” Hales said in a post on his Twitter account. “The decision to focus on my white-ball game wasn’t taken lightly or on the spur of the moment; it’s one I’ve thought long and hard about. It’s also one I’ve discussed at length with the Notts management. I’d like to thank them for their continued support.”While Hales and Rashid have been at pains to state they have not retired from red-ball cricket, this news will reinforce the impression that the first-class game faces an uncertain future. Struggling to attract crowds (in many parts of the world, at least) and often more demanding of the participants, it is now clearly struggling to retain some of its more attractive players. The suspicion remains that, once the 2019 World Cup is finished, the 50-over game, may also struggle to retain the involvement of the best players.All of which leaves the obvious question: who is next? The attractions of specialising in limited-overs cricket, for fast bowlers in particular, are obvious.

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Pelo valor de R$ 100, a criança que irá se inscrever não apenas já terá direito ao recebimento da carteirinha como será privilegiado em relação ao pagamento da anuidade, podendo ser feita a quitação da mesma em até 10 vezes sem juros.

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Left-arm seamer has become the latest English player to concentrate on a future in limited-overs cricket

George Dobell27-Feb-2018Reece Topley has become the latest English player to concentrate on a future in limited-overs cricket.Topley, who was 24 last week and has played 10 ODIs and six T20Is for England, has signed a new contract with Hampshire which will see him play white-ball cricket only in 2018.Topley’s decision follows those of Alex Hales and Adil Rashid to concentrate on limited-overs cricket. Unlike them, however, Topley’s decision was largely made for him by persistent injury troubles that have threatened to curtail his career in its infancy.In particular, he has been plagued by a succession of stress fractures that have limited him to five first-class games since the start of the 2015 season. He has claimed just two first-class wickets since joining Hampshire ahead of the 2016 season.While Topley retains Test ambitions – he has always said he wanted to be the first left-arm seamer to claim 100 Test wickets for England – he has accepted that, for now at least, his body is unable to withstand the demands of first-class cricket. And, with a World Cup round the corner, he will hope that a spell of sustained fitness could result in an England recall.His last international appearance came in March 2016 during the World T20, but he hopes that, if he is able to build up the number of overs he can bowl without the demands of red-ball cricket, he might eventually be able to return to the first-class game.”It has been a frustrating time for me as a young bowler,” Topley said. “It is hoped that this proposal will assist me by preventing further injury as my body matures. Going forward, I do hope to return to red-ball cricket and still harbour ambitions of being the first left-arm fast bowler to take 100 Test wickets for England but that remains a long-term goal.””The short-term goal is simply to return to performing for Hampshire and only then perhaps to try and resurrect playing for England where I am still ambitious to add to my 16 caps. I would like to thank Hampshire for their understanding and continued support and cannot wait for the coming season.”Topley is unlikely to be the last of the current crop of players to make such a choice. Increasingly the risk-reward ratio is pushing seam bowlers, in particular, into specialising in limited-overs cricket.Another left-arm fast bowler – Tymal Mills – has already gone down the same path due to persistent injury problems and, while the likes of Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett (both of whom are currently sidelined by injury) have always insisted they want to play Test cricket, the temptation for them to reduce their overs and, as a consequence their exposure to risk, remains.While the England management will be disappointed for Topley and would dearly like to find a left-arm seamer to add variation to their Test attack, they have long-since been persuaded by the benefits of players specialising in formats. Indeed, it is thought the England medical team were fully supportive of this decision.”Reece’s attitude to his rehab and recovery has been outstanding and he deserves for things to go his way this year,” said Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White.”Reece’s intentions for red-ball cricket are clear, and the longer-form of the game is still something that is important to him in the future – this move is something that ourselves, Reece and the ECB feel is the best route to take this season, for him to be able to achieve his long-term goals at both domestic and international level.”

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares before the end of the summer transfer window, and a new update could give them more hope of signing him.

Do Aston Villa want to sign Nuno Tavares?

The Villans have already made some great signings this summer, with Pau Torres someone who will hopefully become a leader at the back, and Moussa Diaby an individual who should make them more potent in attack, following a bright start.

Another player who has been seen as a possible addition is Tavares, with reports in recent days suggesting a move to Villa Park could come to fruition before next Friday's transfer cutoff.

The 23-year-old seemingly has no future at Arsenal, having spent last season on loan at Marseille, with Mikel Arteta not considering him an important part of his plans moving forward. The left-back is now in a race against time to secure a move elsewhere in the coming days, and a fresh update further hints at Villa being his next destination.

What's the latest on Nuno Tavares to Aston Villa?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, journalist Ben Jacobs admitted that Tavares likes the idea of moving to Villa this summer and a move appears to be progressing, although there are personal terms still to be ironed out:

"The player has made it clear to Arsenal that he would like to stay in the Premier League, which is why the Aston Villa move is of appeal. For Forest, I think that one is now as good as dead.

"The other thing to say in all of this is just there would still be some work to do on personal terms as well. It's one to watch between now and the end of the window, but things are obviously progressing. On the Tavares side, regardless of where he goes, it's clear that he doesn't have a future at Arsenal."

Admittedly, Tavares' time at Arsenal hasn't panned out the way he hoped it would, but there is no shame in not making it at such a huge club, especially with someone like Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of him in the left-back pecking order, among others.

The Portuguese could be an astute signing by Villa, though, coming as someone who can push Lucas Digne for minutes, particularly with the current first-choice left-back not exactly thriving in the role since arriving from Everton.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

At 23, Tavares, you'd think, still has much more improving to do as a player, and he could flourish so much more by being handed more minutes. With Unai Emery having to juggle his squad across four different competitions in 2023/24, there would surely be plenty of scope for enjoying a healthy amount of action.

The Gunners man enjoyed a good spell at Marseille, with a "dream" debut being hailed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, not to mention six goals coming his way in 23 starts in Ligue 1. That attacking threat could be a great addition to Villa's squad, and the fact that BBC pundit Garth Crooks has called him "brilliant" in the past is another sign that he could be a strong signing.

حرص جوزيه جوميز المدير الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك وبدر حامد رئيس قطاعات الناشئين على إلقاء محاضرات فنية مساء على مدربي القطاعات “الناشئين – البراعم”، بأحد القاعات المخصصة لذلك بالقلعة البيضاء.

وجاء ذلك وفقًا للاستراتيجية المحددة من أجل النهوض بمدربي قطاعات الناشئين بنادي الزمالك لمواكبة التطورات الحديثة في علم التدريب في هذه المراحل العمرية.

سيف فاروق جعفر يوجه رسالة لـ جمهور الزمالك.. ويصرح: نستطيع الفوز بـ الدوري الموسم الحالي

وشرح بدر حامد وجوزيه جوميز العديد من الأمور والمواقف الخططية والفنية للمدربين من خلال محاضرة منفصلة لكل واحد منهما على حدة.

وفي الوقت ذاته، قدم بدر حامد التهنئة للبرتغالي جوزيه جوميز وجهازه المعاون، بمناسبة التتويج بكأس الكونفدرالية الأفريقية، متمنياً لهم الفوز بمزيد من البطولات مع الزمالك خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ووجه رئيس قطاعات الناشئين والمدربون الشكر والتقدير لجوميز على تواجده لإلقاء محاضرات فنية للاستفادة من الخبرات التي يتمتع بها.

من جانبه أعرب البرتغالي جوزيه جوميز عن سعادته بالتواجد وسط المدربين والتنسيق المتبادل والتواصل مع بدر حامد رئيس قطاعات الناشئين في كافة الأمور، مؤكدا أنه سيقدم كل خبراته لهم من أجل أن يستفيد الجميع للوصول إلى أفضل مستوى ممكن.

وأكد جوميز أن قطاع الناشئين بالزمالك يضم لاعبين على مستوي متميز، وأن الهدف هو الاستمرار في تقديم الأفضل خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ومن المقرر أن تستمر المحاضرات الفنية لمدربي القطاعات غداً الأربعاء ومن بعده الخميس.

With his team’s World Cup dreams all but shattered, a devastated Zimbabwe captain lamented the two missed opportunities to qualify against West Indies and UAE

Liam Brickhill22-Mar-2018

With his team’s World Cup dreams all but shattered, a devastated Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer lamented the two missed opportunities to qualify against West Indies and UAE. Zimbabwe needed a win in either match to be sure of their place.”It’s very painful,” Cremer said. “We had two bites at getting to the final, and we’ve stumbled at the last hurdle.”We were so hungry [to win today]. The ball was in our court, we just needed to turn up today and play some of our best cricket, then it might have been a different story. Guys are shattered in the change room. I’m sure most Zimbabweans are.”This tournament has seen packed terraces for all of Zimbabwe’s games, and Harare Sports Club was filled to capacity for their match against UAE. At one point in the afternoon, the gates were closed and people were being turned away from the match. But despite the vocal home support, they once again fell short.”The fans have been excellent, from Bulawayo to here, and another great turnout today. They’ll probably be more disappointed than anyone, because they’ve turned out and at least expected us to win one of these two games to qualify. So there was big expectation on us. We’re really sad that we couldn’t give them what they wanted.”Zimbabwe had found success in this tournament by setting totals, but after winning the toss on Thursday, Cremer opted to bowl. Zimbabwe picked up the early wicket of Ashfaq Ahmed, but UAE’s top five rallied to put them into a good position, with Rameez Shahzad top-scoring with 59. Once again, Zimbabwe weren’t quite as sharp as they needed to be in the field.”We were a bit unsure but we backed ourselves that whatever we did, bat or bowl, we will come out on top. We gave them a few too many, and then to only have 40 overs with the bat, that cost us a bit. We’d still back ourselves to chase 230 in 40 overs, but a poor start again. We keep losing wickets in that first Powerplay, which has probably cost us.”Zimbabwe lost Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor cheaply in their chase, but were revived by Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza. Williams raced to 80 at a run a ball, while Raza was quickly into his groove with a 26-ball 34. Neither was able to take their side home, however, and with their dismissals, UAE took control of the game.”When we were batting we got a few partnerships going but we lost wickets in crucial periods,” Cremer said. “When Raza got out, that was crucial for us. Because he could have won that game with a couple of overs to spare, the way he was batting. When Sean got out, that was another big moment in the game.”While Cremer rued a missed opportunity that could have far-reaching consequences for Zimbabwean cricket, UAE captain Rohan Mustafa celebrated what is a major milestone for his team: taking down a Full Member.”A great achievement for the UAE team, because we have never won against a Test nation team,” Mustafa said. “So it’s a great achievement, and it shows the world that UAE, and the other Associate countries, are getting better.”We can take confidence from this match, because we beat such a good team. Zimbabwe is one of the best teams in this tournament, and we beat them. So there is a lesson for us, and it will help us.”

A tour to New Zealand kick-started Stuart Broad’s career. Now another one may see its reinvention.It was in Wellington on the 2008 visit that he and James Anderson were brought in as a pair for the first time when Michael Vaughan made the call to drop Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard. It was the start of an alliance that, barring a few glitches along the way, has carried England through the next decade with plenty of success collectively and individually.Now Broad will enter the first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park on 399 Test wickets but on the back of a disappointing 2017 in which he averaged over 36 and faces losing the new-ball role he has held for much of the last seven years. If he does claim No. 400 this week, it will be 32 Tests since he reached 300 (on that heady day at Trent Bridge in 2015), his slowest century of wickets since the first 100 which took 35 matches.Known as a bowler capable of destructive spells that can win a Test match, he has not taken a five-wicket haul since the last of those busts – 6 for 17 against South Africa in Johannesburg – 24 Tests ago. His 4 for 51 in Melbourne three months ago was also the first time he had taken more than three in an innings in 13 outings, although he did note the recent statistic put out by CricViz that he’s had more dropped catches off him than any other bowler since 2015.Although he accepts that things have not been quite right for a while, Broad believes has regained the “buzz” for bowling after hours on his own in the Trent Bridge indoor school and feels his spells in the warm-up matches in Hamilton last week were the best he has bowled for a year.He puts his struggles down, largely, to the impact upon his action of bowling round the wicket so often to left-handers, which has than caused him to be too open-chest to right-handers and unable to find away movement. Over 10 lonely days in the indoor nets he has worked on putting that right.”It’s something I’ve been aware of for some time and it’s been frustrating that I haven’t been able to sort it but when you’re in competitive mode you don’t really get that opportunity,” Broad said. “So I had a nice little period when I had a break and I just walked through for 10 days non-stop completely on my own. I didn’t want input. Cricket’s a feel sport and I just wanted that feeling myself. I didn’t want someone going ‘your front arm’s doing that, or that’. So I just put some music on in the Notts indoor school and away I went.”I’m someone who can change games and that’s how I view myself as a cricketer. I want to be the person who you turn to when you need something exciting to happen – let’s try and break this Test open. That’s how I’ve played my cricket and actually influenced some of the changes I made in February. I felt I got too technical, constantly every day looking at videos and what’s going on with my action. I’ve got that buzz back because I feel like training now is fun. Yes, I haven’t had that streak for a bit of time but I do feel like my time is coming.”Broad was talking a good game when it came to the potential loss of the new ball and there is some logic to the theory that England could be better placed to extend pressure on opposition batsmen if they split him and Anderson. He also suggested that spells for the new-ball quicks could be shorter and that England were looking more carefully at which bowlers have success against which batsmen, citing his good record against Ross Taylor, who he has removed nine times.It would effectively, though, remain a demotion. He has taken the new ball in 169 off the 208 Test innings he has bowled and only once since 2013 – when two spinners opened in Chittagong – has he not been one of the first two.”I think we’re just going to be a bit more flexible,” Broad said. “The same people don’t have to take the new ball as the second new ball. We’re just trying to find ways to improve us really because there’s no hiding place from the fact, away from home, we haven’t got it right.”At Hamilton regardless of whether I bowled with the new ball or first change, it was probably the best I’ve bowled for a year, just in terms of the way I was shaping up, the feeling of the action. There’s not been a decision made on who takes it on Thursday, but either way I think the first-change bowler will be on within eight overs anyway.”There was, though, a hint of regret that his partnership with Anderson could be about to come to an end – at least for now – as he reflected on how their chances came about 10 years ago.”You do look at fast bowlers who’ve had a period of success and it’s generally in a partnership,” he said. “Pollock and Donald, Waqar and Wasim, Walsh and Ambrose, Botham and Willis, there’s something in a partnership that makes you thrive off each other, you’re pushing off each other, you’re always demanding deliverance of pressure together. If I hadn’t been lucky enough to play in the same era as him, if Moorsey [Peter Moores, the coach] and Vaughany hadn’t given us our chance together to grow, then we certainly wouldn’t have experienced all the things we have.”Broad had one Test wicket when he played in Wellington. Now he stands one away from following Anderson into the 400-club (his mate has now passed 500 as well) although the 399th – Cameron Bancroft, bowled in Broad’s first over of the Sydney Test in January – feels a while ago now.”I’m desperate to get 400 but, regardless of the individual wickets, I think over a long period of time it’s proof that I’ve put a lot of dedication into it,” he said. “When you look at some of the fast-bowling names that have got 400, it proves you’ve got to have a lot of longevity, dedication and all that sort of thing to reach that landmark. Of course, it would be a very nice club to join but it’s been a long time coming over the last six months.”For Broad, this series is about ticking off the landmark then proving he is still the bowler that got most of the way towards such exclusive company.

Arsenal have utilised the bustling talent from their renowned Hale End academy over the years, evident in the squad selected by Mikel Arteta during his reign.

The Spaniard has continued the progression of Bukayo Saka, who has been at the club since the age of eight, with his market value now sitting at a staggering figure of €200m (£170.5m) as per CIES, telling a margin of his journey to the top.

Integrating the stars of the future has always been Arsenal’s trajectory, and is likely to continue as a new wave of talent eye the first team. One of which is superstar prodigy Ethan Nwaneri.

Who is Ethan Nwaneri?

16-year-old Ethan Nwaneri is one name that is spoken about heavily when it comes to Arsenal’s current crop of academy talent.

There was speculation over the teenager’s future earlier in the summer, with noise quickly silenced as it was announced that the club had sealed the midfielder on a scholarship deal with his first pro deal on the table for when he turns 17.

As relayed by Fabrizio Romano, the contract will be for 2.6 years, including the “highest salary offer” made by the Gunners for an academy player, indicating just how well thought of he is at the Emirates.

Deployed in central attacking midfield with the ability to drift onto the left wing, the lively forward has shown his worth in the academy side to get people talking over his potential breakthrough into the senior squad.

How good is Ethan Nwaneri?

Lauded as “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Nwaneri has already broken records for the Gunners, becoming the youngest ever player to play in the Premier League at 15 years, five months and 28 days old.

The youngster has all the ability to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Saka, as highlighted by his electrifying start to the 2023/24 Premier League 2 so far, in which he’s scored four goals in four appearances.

It’s reassuring for Arteta to know that one day he could have the eventual heir to Martin Odegaard already in his ranks, with the tricky Londoner displaying a similar playing style and position to the Emirates skipper.

While Odegaard’s fall down the ranks due to age and form seems light years away, Nwaneri’s breakthrough could come beside the Norwegian rather than in his place, with one name looking to be a potential weak link in the position already.

Signed from Chelsea for a staggering £65m, Kai Havertz has had a strange start to life in the north of the capital, where he has been criticised for his performances in the shadows of Arsenal’s intricate midfield.

The German was blasted by journalist Josh Bunting for his “unacceptable” big miss against Manchester United, with the 24-year-old adding pressure to his price tag with some less-than-impressive performances so far. Indeed, he is yet to find the net or register an assist after his big-money move.

A player as hungry and talented as Nwaneri should revise the mishaps of the Champions League winner to his advantage, a similar way that Saka rose to fame in place of £72m flop Nicolas Pepe.

At just 16, the Hale End starlet has a long way to go to impress those at the Emirates, however having seen those before him succeed, the time may come sooner rather than later for the dazzling playmaker. Watch out, Havertz…

An ICC suspension from the final Test against South Africa may be just the start of sanctions for Australia’s captain and vice-captain

Daniel Brettig in Cape Town25-Mar-20183:54

Brettig: Lehmann’s position is extremely close to untenable

An ICC suspension from the final Test against South Africa may be just the start of sanctions for Australia’s captain Steven Smith, who alongside his deputy David Warner faces anything up to a life ban for cheating under Cricket Australia’s code of behaviour.While Australia slid towards their heaviest defeat to South Africa since readmission, the problems raised by another batting surrender were nothing next to the potential ramifications from the ball tampering attempted on the third day of the Test.Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft all fell amid the rush of ten Australian wickets for 50 runs to end a match that had long since ceased to be a contest of any recognisable form, so hijacked had the visitors been by the ball-tampering fiasco. Each was roundly booed upon their arrivals at the batting crease, then given still louder rebukes upon their departures, with fans rushing to vantage points either side of the players’ race to deliver invective at close range.As CA’s head of integrity Iain Roy and team performance manager Pat Howard travelled to Cape Town to commence an investigation, the CA Board bowed to pressure from the Australian Sports Commission to strip Smith and Warner of their leadership roles for the remainder of the Newlands Test, following their roles in orchestrating the ball tampering attempt that also involved Bancroft.The focus has sharpened on Smith and Warner, after it was clarified that the lunchtime discussion did not involve the full “leadership group,” which has also featured Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, but was instead undertaken by “senior players”.The CA chief executive James Sutherland also issued a public apology to Australian followers of the game, with the Board at a delicate point in the multimillion dollar television rights negotiations for the next five years with the Nine, Ten and Seven networks and the pay television network Fox Sports.”To our Australian Cricket Fans, we are sorry,” Sutherland said. “We are sorry that you had to wake up this morning to news from South Africa that our Australian Men’s Cricket team and our Captain admitted to conduct that is outside both the Laws of our game and the Spirit of Cricket. This behaviour calls into question the integrity of the team and Cricket Australia.”The outraged response of the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who spoke to the CA chairman David Peever the moment he touched down on his return from South Africa, was given further heft by the joint call from the ASC chair John Wylie and chief executive Kate Palmer for Smith and Warner to be stood down immediately from leadership until Roy’s investigation is complete.”The ASC condemns cheating of any form in sport. The ASC expects and requires that Australian teams and athletes demonstrate unimpeachable integrity in representing our country,” the ASC said in a statement. “The Australian cricket team are iconic representatives of our country. The example they set matters a great deal to Australia and to the thousands of young Australians playing or enjoying the sport of cricket and who look up to the national team as role models.”Given the admission by Australian captain Steve Smith, the ASC calls for him to be stood down immediately by Cricket Australia, along with any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness of, or involvement in, the plan to tamper with the ball. This can occur while Cricket Australia completes a full investigation.”That investigation will likely feature interviews with Smith, Warner, Bancroft and the Australian coach Darren Lehmann, and will determine how many players and staff will be charged under the code of behaviour. Once Roy has recommended charges, a code of behaviour hearing would be held with an independent commissioner, who would then decide on the guilt or otherwise of the players and staff concerned and the penalties to be imposed.A charge of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game includes the clause “any conduct that is considered ‘unfair play’ under Rule 42 of the Laws of Cricket or against the spirit in which the game of cricket should be played”. The maximum penalty available to the code of conduct commissioner is a life ban from the sport, with factors to be taken into account including “the seriousness of the breach” and “the harm caused by the breach to the interests of cricket”.CA’s decision to stand down Smith and Warner was announced minutes before the start of play on day four. “Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as Captain and Vice-Captain respectively for the remainder of this Test match,” Sutherland said. “This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands.”As I said earlier today, Cricket Australia and Australian cricket fans expect certain standards of conduct from cricketers representing our country, and on this occasion these standards have not been met. All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of priority.”The CA chairman David Peever said the appointment of Paine followed an emergency Board meeting. “The Board of Cricket Australia has endorsed Tim Paine to step in as Acting Captain for the remainder of this Test,” he said. “Both Steve and David will take to the field today under Tim’s captaincy. The Board fully supports the process for an immediate investigation into what occurred in Cape Town. We regard this as a matter of the utmost seriousness and urgency. We will ensure we have all information available to make the right decisions for Australian cricket.”The ICC confirmed that the umpires had first been made aware of the possibility of ball tampering by television replays on the big screen at Newlands. The on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Nigel Llong then spoke to Bancroft and Smith before they, the third umpire Ian Gould, and fourth umpire Allahudien Palekar laid the ball-tampering charges. They did not replace the ball nor award South Africa five penalty runs because they did not believe the ball’s condition had been changed.”The decision made by the leadership group of the Australian team to act in this way is clearly contrary to the spirit of the game, risks causing significant damage to the integrity of the match, the players and the sport itself, and is therefore ‘serious’ in nature,” the ICC chief executive David Richardson said. “As captain, Steve Smith must take full responsibility for the actions of his players and it is appropriate that he be suspended. The game needs to have a hard look at itself. In recent weeks we have seen incidents of ugly sledging, send-offs, dissent against umpires’ decisions, a walk-off, ball tampering, and some ordinary off-field behaviour.”The ICC needs to do more to prevent poor behaviour and better police the spirit of the game, defining more clearly what is expected of players and enforcing the regulations in a consistent fashion. In addition, and most importantly, Member countries need to show more accountability for their teams’ conduct. Winning is important but not at the expense of the spirit of the game which is intrinsic and precious to the sport of cricket. We have to raise the bar across all areas.”The match referee Andy Pycroft said he hoped Bancroft would learn from the episode. “To carry a foreign object on to the field of play with the intention of changing the condition of the ball to gain an unfair advantage over your opponent is against not only the Laws, but the Spirit of the game as well,” he said. “That said, I acknowledge that Cameron has accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty to the charge and apologising publicly. As a young player starting out in international cricket, I hope the lessons learned from this episode will strongly influence the way he plays the game during the rest of his career.”There was no indication, meanwhile, that Smith or Warner were under threat to retain their roles as captains of Rajasthan Royals or Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The Twenty20 tournament is due to commence shortly after the conclusion of tour of South Africa.