How the world reacted to Australian ball-tampering scandal

“Shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from South Africa. It seemed completely beyond belief that the Australian cricket team had been involved in cheating. Our cricketers are role models and cricket is synonymous with fair play. How can our team be engaged in cheating like this? It beggars belief.”

“To our Australian cricket fans. We are sorry. We are sorry that you had to wake up this morning to the news ... that our Australian men’s cricket team and our captain admitted to conduct that is outside both the laws of our game and spirit of cricket.

“This behaviour calls into question the integrity of the team and Cricket Australia... we share your anger and disappointment.

“Cricket Australia and Australian cricket fans expect certain standards of conduct from cricketers representing our country, and on this occasion these standards have not been met.”

“The decision made by the leadership group of the Australian team to act in this way is clearly contrary to the spirit of the game, risks causing significant damage to the integrity of the match, the players and the sport itself and is therefore ‘serious’ in nature.”

“It’s a terrible day for Australian cricket. I can’t believe the leadership group have got a young kid playing in his eighth test match to do this.”

“Australian cricket is the laughing stock of the sporting world.”

“Disappointed in Steve Smith as captain to go out there and do that. To me it was unAustralian. I don’t care who you are you can’t tamper with the ball.”

“I’m shocked at what’s gone on. I’ve never seen anything as blatant as that.”

“It was pre-meditated and they’ve been caught. They have been shown to cheat.”

“You’ve got to ask some tough questions of Steve Smith and (Australia coach) Darren Lehmann. They’ve obviously driven this process, they’re the leadership.”

“Nothing in professional sport is done without the consent of your captain and coach.”

“The leaderships groups jobs (sic) are untenable. They’ve disgraced a great cricketing nation & test cricket.”

“They are in crisis. This certainly will not be the end of it. There will be consequences for senior members of the team.”

“I would be very surprised if everyone in the dressing room didn’t know what was going on. They were so naive to get caught.”

“Disgraceful behaviour by senior pros.”

“Steve has come out and said it’s the first time they’ve ever tried it and we have to believe his words.”

“Oh no! Bancroft. Very embarrassing. From the looks of it, this is not on. Haven’t seen a series marred by controversies like this one in a long long time.”