Darren Lehmann was not a part of the ball tampering plan, insists James Sutherland

There were also reports and speculations that stated Lehmann might step down as head coach after much controversy breaking out. However, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has backed the coach and stated that Lehmann did not know anything about the trio’s plan and was himself surprised. Hence, he will continue to be the head coach of the national side. 

“I don't want to get too involved in the specific comments or findings of the review, but I do, in Darren's defense, want to clarify that specific matter. I want to say that he sent a message to say 'What in the hell is going on?' he didn't use hell, he used another word. That was found to be, through Iain's (Iain Roy, head of Integrity) investigation, a fact. I want to make that point very clearly that Darren made those comments and Iain was certainly satisfied that Darren wasn't involved and didn't know anything about the plan,” Sutherland told the journalists in Johannesburg, as reported by Cricbuzz. 

“I don't think that there's any evidence that we've seen or heard during the investigation. Clearly, the primary focus of his investigation was very much about the events of Cape Town, but also about his discussions and responsibilities was to ask questions more broadly.”