The tampering travesty begins after Australia's Cameron Bancroft is shown on television shoving a yellow object into the pocket of his trousers after using it to rough up the ball on the third day of the third Test on Saturday.

However, the misdemeanor worsens as Australia coach Darren Lehmann apparently directs 12th man Peter Handscomb over walkie-talkie to let Bancroft know that he has been caught on tape. Handscomb does so, and Bancroft pulls the yellow object from his pockets and shoves it down his pants.

Bancroft is then, after a brief discussion between English officials Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, called over by the umpires -- along with his captain Steve Smith and the episode takes another ugly turn. After the umpires presumably ask Bancroft what is going on, he turns his pockets inside out and pulls out a black cloth in a clear effort to conceal the truth.

That is the end of the drama on the field, but social media is already blowing up. And there will be a few more explosions off the field before the night is out.

DEFINITIVE FOOTAGE EMERGES; AUSSIES GO INTO LOCKDOWN

Host broadcaster SuperSport show footage from three different angles, including clear footage of Bancroft stuffing the object, at the time thought to be sandpaper, down his pants, which leads to widespread condemnation. Before the post-match press conference, Cricket Australia confirms that it has cancelled all interviews with TV and radio stations. Bancroft is charged with a Level 2 offence of attempting to alter the condition of the ball.

AUSTRALIANS COME CLEAN

At the post-match press conference Smith admits that 'the leadership group knew about it' and that the Australians came up with the ploy over the lunch break out of desperation.

Bancroft clears the air about what the object was, saying: "I saw an opportunity to use some yellow tape and the granules from the rough patches to change the condition of the ball." Meanwhile, his captain admits to an error of judgment, adding that coach Darren Lehmann was in no way involved. However, Smith adds that he will not resign.

NO DECISION YET, SAYS SUTHERLAND; STARC, HAZLEWOOD REACT WITH SHOCK

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland admits that they are 'shocked and disappointed' by the events, but adds that there will be no decision on Smith's captaincy until a clearer picture is formed by CA's integrity unit, which is dispatched to Cape Town. Later, Fairfax Media reports that senior players Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are shocked by Smith's statements. The duo claim they had no knowledge of the plans.

AUSTRALIA PM BLASTS TEAM; SMITH, WARNER REMOVED FROM LEADERSHIP ROLES

Late Saturday, ICC chief executive David Richardson condemns Australia's actions while Australia Prime Minister Ross Turnbull blasts the cricket team, saying: "It seemed completely beyond belief that the Australian cricket team had been involved in cheating." Following Turnbull's statement, Sutherland says Steve Smith and David Warner will stand down as captain and vice-captain for rest of  the Test.

ICC LEVIES PUNISHMENT

On Sunday, the ICC bans Smith for one match and fines him 100 per cent of his match fee while Bancroft is given three demerit points and fined 75 per cent of his match fee.