After promising action on the “leadership group” for admitting to tampering with the ball in the final session on day three at Newlands, Cape Town, Cricket Australia have announced that Steve Smith and David Warner have been removed as captain and vice captain respectively for the remainder of the Test match.

“Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as Captain and Vice-Captain respectively for the remainder of Test match with South Africa,” a release said. “This Test match needs to proceed and we’ll continue to investigate the matter with urgency it demands. Cricket Australia & Australian cricket fans expect certain standards of conduct from cricketers representing our country and on this occasion these standards haven’t been met.”

This is the first major fallout of the ball-tampering incident that unfolded in front of the cameras on Saturday after which Smith and the protagonist Cameon Bancroft admitted to a pre-meditated plan to change the condition of the ball.

“All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of priority,” said Sutherland.

Cricket Australia Chairman, David Peever said: “The Board of Cricket Australia has endorsed Tim Paine to step in as Acting Captain for the remainder of this Test. 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,” Peever said.