Australian cricketer Steve Smith is still officially the world’s top Test batsman though he has been serving a ban from top-level cricket for four months after being embroiled in a ball-tampering incident.

Retired cricket Test captain Michael Clarke offers to play for Australia for free to help the team recover after the downfall of his successor Steve Smith over a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

​Bans handed to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft should be reduced, the Australian cricketers' union says, arguing the punishment was disproportionate to previous ball-tampering cases.

India's star cricketers are astounded at the treatment meted out to former Australian captain Steve Smith that left him tearfully apologising for cheating in a Test match.

A wave of sympathy for disgraced Australia skipper Steve Smith gathers pace after his heart-wrenching apology and as opposition grew to the severity of bans handed out in a ball-tampering scandal.

Distraught former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith accepts full responsibility for ball-tampering scandal that has shaken the sport, breaking down in tears while denying it had ever happened before.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann apologises to the public and calls for forgiveness for the "grave mistake" made by the trio of Test players banned for their role in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the sport.

Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals replace Australia's Steve Smith as captain over his role in a ball-tampering controversy.

Steve Smith's future as Australia captain was thrown into doubt after he was banned for one match after admitting responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal that marred the ongoing Test against South Africa.

Australian captain Steve Smith shoots down suggestions of ball-tampering after video of him using saliva from the corner of his mouth during Sunday's one-day loss to England raised eyebrows.

Steve Smith's importance to Australia in the Ashes series has not just been in the torrent of runs he has scored but also in timing of his big innings, says team mate Pat Cummins.

Steve Smith racked up another milestone as he continues to torment England and Usman Khawaja nears a century to put Australia in a strong position after day two of the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Steve Smith has broken English hearts and smashed records with his phenomenal Ashes batting and is being acclaimed as the best Australian batsman since the greatest of all, Don Bradman.

Steve Smith praises his "exceptional" team as Australia reclaimed the Ashes with an innings win over England in the third Test in Perth on Monday, and set his sights on a series whitewash.

Steve Smith produces a defiant unconquered century as Australia take the edge in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Saturday.

Skipper Steve Smith leads a rescue mission to revive Australia's fortunes after a top-order batting collapse in the Ashes Test against England in Brisbane.

Two of the world's best batsmen will be in opposition when Australia's Steve Smith and England's Joe Root both lead their countries for the first time in an Ashes Test at Brisbane.

Australia skipper Steve Smith rubbishes claims he favours his "mates" as selection looms for the highly anticipated Ashes Test series with England.

Australia captain Steve Smith and star opener David Warner say they have no desire to play four-day Tests in a setback to international cricket chiefs who have floated the idea.

Australia captain Steve Smith is worried about his team's failure to convert potentially winning positions into victories after losing the one-day international series against India.