STEVE SMITH, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all sent home from Australia's tour of South Africa after admitting to ball tampering.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland announced at a press conference in Johannesburg that those three were the only members of the team who knew in advance about the tampering plans.

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Darren Lehmann had no knowledge of the incident and will remain as head coach, Sutherland added.

The Cricket Australia chief said the investigation is still ongoing and sanctions on the cheating trio will be announced in the next 24 hours.

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Bancroft was caught by television cameras tampering with the ball using a piece of tape on the third day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.

Opening batsman Bancroft then hid the tape down his trousers before he and captain Smith admitted to tampering in a press conference after the close of play.

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Sutherland said: "I am angry and disappointed. It is not a good day for Australian cricket.

"It's about the integrity and reputation of Australian cricket and whether Australians can feel proud of their national teams.

"That depends as much on how players conduct themselves as it does on winning and losing.

"Preliminary findings have been considered and discussed by the Australian board.

"Prior knowledge of the ball-tampering incident was limited to three players - Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

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"No other players and support staff had prior knowledge and this includes Darren Lehmann.

"He will continue to coach the Australian men's team.

"The players involved have officially been reported for breaching Australian cricket's code of conduct.

"Once the investigation has been concluded in the next 24 hours sanctions will be announced.

"Tim Paine has been officially appointed captain of the Australian men's team."

South Africa won the third Test by 322 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series with the fourth Test starting on Friday in Johannesburg.

The Australian team were mobbed by media as they left Cape Town and landed in Johannesburg on Tuesday.