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Here's why ball-tampering row bothers video gamer James Sutherland on Twitter

Cricket Australia supremo James Sutherland had previously issued an apology to Australian fans after the recent ball-tampering row.

Sydney: A lot is being said and debated on social media about the recent Sandpaper Gate scandal surrounding the Australian team in the ongoing Test series of South Africa. Moreover, CEO of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland is also facing the heat under immense backlash and criticism.

However, a similar Twitter user by the name James Sutherland faced the wrath of fans on the micro-blogging website due to the ball-tampering row. “My statement on the ball tampering scandal: "I'm not James Sutherland the Australian cricket administrator. Stop @'ing me about it,” he wrote furiously.

The Englishman, who is a professional video gamer tried to calm down the situation later on. “Okay, so clearly, I didn't think this through. It's night time in the UK and my phone is now going crazy. Sadly, I don't have a SoundCloud to promote, but here's a fun little Android game my wife made,” he tweeted.

Australia captain Steve Smith was heading home Wednesday in disgrace after a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa left the team feuding and fractured amid scepticism that the full story has not been told.

Smith and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, the player caught on camera attempting to doctor the ball with a piece of tape, have been banished for their role in an incident which has dragged Australian cricket's reputation through the mud.

Vice-captain David Warner was also sent packing, amid reports of a massive falling out between him and the team's fast bowlers who feel they have been unfairly linked to the row.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine will take over the captaincy for the fourth and final Test starting in Johannesburg Friday, with hosts South Africa leading a bad-tempered series 2-1.

Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns are jetting to South Africa as replacements. But coach Darren Lehmann escaped punishment and will remain in charge, team management said in Johannesburg, with further sanctions on the three players to be announced shortly.

"I understand and share the anger and disappointment of Australian fans," Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said of the controversy in the third Test in Cape Town last Saturday.

"On behalf of Cricket Australia, I want to apologise to all Australians that these events have taken place, especially to all the kids."

Lehmann had no 'prior knowledge'

However, Sutherland insisted Lehmann was not aware of the plot.

"Prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident was limited to three players... 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," said Sutherland.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke, the man Smith succeeded in 2015, believes there is more to the story that meets the eye."Too many reputations on the line for the full story not to come out. Cape Town change room is a very small place!" he tweeted.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )
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