Ball tampering fallout may reach Shield final

Queensland and Tasmania admit they're yet to come to grips with the possibility that players could be substituted out of the ongoing JLT Sheffield Shield final due to the fallout of the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.

The final match of the domestic summer looks set to take on an extra layer of interest over the final two days after Steve Smith and David Warner were stood down as captain and vice-captain respectively for the third Test in Cape Town.

The pair’s involvement in the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg is uncertain as Cricket Australia begin an investigation into the events that led to Smith and opener Cameron Bancroft admitting to ball tampering on day three at Newlands.

Players from both sides in the Shield decider remained detached from the unfolding crisis on Sunday having handed in their mobile phones when they arrived at the ground as per regular CA anti-corruption measures.

It's understood no player from either side has been put on standby for the fourth Test side, but CA has pulled players out of domestic matches for the national side before, with playing conditions permitting substitutes on grounds of ‘national interest’.

Both Tasmania keeper Matthew Wade, who struck a gritty 108 across day two and three at Allan Border Field, and former Test opener Joe Burns said they hadn't even considered the possibility that players may be subbed out.

"I haven't really thought about that," Wade said, before adding with a wry laugh: "Hopefully it's (Matthew) Renshaw and Burns and they both go tomorrow.

"I'm not sure about our boys."

Burns said: "You'd have to say yes (it would be strange if players were substituted out) because it's pretty un-normal.

"But it's not something I've really thought about. I don't think anyone has."

Bancroft has already accepted a Level 2 ICC Code of Conduct charge that could yet see him suspended for the fourth Test in Johannesburg. He is due to learn his punishment later on Sunday evening.

CA integrity chief Iain Roy and team performance boss Pat Howard are both en route to Cape Town complete an investigation into the incident.

Among the contenders playing in the five-day final in Brisbane are former Test opener Renshaw (who struck a fluent albeit brief 37 today), veteran Tasmania captain George Bailey (who made 51 on day two and is highly rated for his leadership qualities) and Burns (who scored 49 in the Bulls’ first innings).

Tasmania quick Jackson Bird (1-46 from the 16 overs he bowled on day three) would appear the most likely to be pulled out of this match if fast-bowling reinforcements are required. Sheffield Shield player of the season Chris Tremain (51 wickets at 21 for Victoria) is another who could be in the mix.

Glenn Maxwell, who scored 37 for his club side Fitzroy-Doncaster in their Victorian Premier Cricket semi-final against Footscray in Melbourne's eastern suburbs today, has scored 707 runs at 50.50 in the Sheffield Shield this season having lost his Test spot at the beginning of this summer.

Bulls batsman Marnus Labuschagne (32) quietly worked his way to top spot on the Shield season's leading run-scoring charts on Sunday (790 runs at 39.50) but would seem a remote contender.

The non-playing members of Australia's squad already in South Africa are batsman Peter Handscomb, spinner Jon Holland and quicks Chadd Sayers and Jhye Richardson.

Burns said a Shield crown is the only motivation he needs, shrugging off suggestions he could be in line for a Test recall.

"I haven't really thought about it," said Burns. "My focus is just trying to feel in as good nick as possible for this game and to win a Sheffield Shield.

"Every game I play I'm just trying to make as many runs as possible. You don't really need more motivation.

"From day to day my focus is on whatever team I'm selected in. When I'm playing for Queensland, I'm trying to win games of cricket for Queensland.

"Obviously the Shield final is a huge game for us so that's my full attention at the moment."

After a stuttering start to the summer that saw him replaced in the Test side by Bancroft, Renshaw has hit a purple patch in the back half of the Shield season.

Knocks of 112, 170 and 143 saw him become the first Queensland batsman since Matthew Hayden in 1993-94 to score a hundred in three consecutive Shield matches.

Bird was originally named in Australia's touring party four the four-Test trip to South Africa but was replaced in the squad by Sayers when he broke down with a hamstring injury last month.

The right-armer has since returned to play in Tasmania's past two games before the Shield final and took his season wicket tally to 36 on day three in Brisbane.

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test South Africa won by six wickets. Scorecard

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage