David Warner emerges as chief conspirator in ball-tampering row

David Warner has emerged as the chief conspirator of the ball-tampering row which saw Steve Smith being suspended for the one Test and fined 100 per cent of his match fee.

According to sources, Warner could miss Australia's fourth and final Test against South Africa starting March 30.

Cricket Australia investigators spoke to Warner, Smith, Cameron Bancroft and coach Darren Lehman in South Africa. It now looks like CA will ask Warner to sit out of the last Test of the four-match series which South Africa lead 2-1.

Smith is likely to be banned for a year by Cricket Australia after he owned up to the part he played in the ball-tampering scandal that erupted during the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.

It is also understood that Warner could be banned for a lesser period - possibly six months while coach Darren Lehmann's position is now extremely untenable and he could even be sacked. A final decision is expected by Wednesday evening (India time) as Cricket Australia's CEO James Sutherland left for South Africa to join up with the rest of his colleagues.