While all the three players – David Warner, Steve Smith, and Cameron Bancroft – were banned by Cricket Australia (CA) for 12 months and 9 months respectively, everyone wondered how Darren Lehmann escaped the punishment. Why was the Australian coach not sacked even after he was caught on the camera?

The video footage, of the Third Test match against South Africa at Newlands, made it quite evident that the Australian coach was in the scheme of things, while the Australian players were indulging in ball-tampering. However, there’s something more than what meets the eye!

The facts that have come to the fore suggest that the reality is otherwise. What seemed to make people believe that Lehmann was involved in the ball-tampering episode, was his talk with substitute Peter Handscomb on the walkie-talkie that was telecast on the ground’s screen.

At the first look, it gave the impression that Darren Lehmann’s talk with Handscomb, who later had a brief chat with Cameron Bancroft, would have initiated the entire saga. But it was not!

Former Australia Captain Steve Smith and Bancroft had categorically denied Lehmann’s role in their press conference. Still, the camera had grabbed a completely different picture of the ball-tampering fiasco. Then what went in favour of the Australian coach?

Well, it would come as a surprise to you if you were told that these six words saved Australia under-fire Australian coach Darren Lehmann’s job.

“What the f*** is going on?”

These were the very words Lehmann had uttered to Peter Handscomb during his chat on the walkie-talkie, revealed CA CEO, James Sutherland. Talking to the press, Sutherland said that they did not find any involvement of Darren Lehmann in the ball-tampering scandal. As per Sutherland, “He saw that and he radioed down (to Handscomb) and he said 'what the f*** is going on?”

Talking more about the incident Sutherland said, “Beyond that, I would like to just touch on that he brought everyone into the room when the next break was [during tea]. He basically went through everyone and went 'what is going on?”

However, Sutherland stated that there are chances of an independent commission would examine Lehmann’s claims. Both David Warner, and Steve Smith have issued an apology on the matter. The former Australian captain suffered a breakdown at Sydney Airport on his return from South Africa.

In his statement, Darren Lehmann said, “The team has been received quite negatively in recent times and there is a need for us to change some of the philosophies about the way we play.”

Lehmann, who narrowly escaped the axe, will be still in charge of the Australian national team. For how long he will be allowed to continue as the Head Coach will be Cricket Australia’s call. For now, as former player Michael Hussey recently said, "It'll be hard (for players & team alike) to reclaim reputations, but the episode serves a chance to reclaim some of its lost principles and values."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2018 05:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).