Steve Smith, who was handed a two-year leadership ban by Cricket Australia in 2018 for his role in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, is eligible to lead Australia now after his ban ended on Sunday, March 29. Australia suffered a 322-run defeat in Smith’s last match as the skipper.

Michael Holding, who was part of the commentary team for Cape-Town test when the infamous ball-tampering incident happened admitted that it could be seen as an aberration. He also was not entirely convinced from what he saw whether David Warner and Steve Smith learnt anything from the experience.

South African head coach Mark Boucher confirmed that former skipper Faf du Plessis will be rested for the upcoming ODI series against Australia later this month. However, he confirmed that du Plessis would be part of the plans for the national team’s ODI future, with de Kock taking over the reins.

Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that seam bowler Jhye Richardson will stay back in South Africa with the ODI squad for the three-match series to add depth to their fast bowling unit. Richardson is yet to play international cricket since his shoulder injury after the Pakistan series last March.