Firmly backing Steve Smith, Cricket Australia said questioning his integrity is "outrageous" and there was no "ill-intent" in the captain's move of seeking dressing room help for a controversial DRS call during the second Test against India.
In a statement issued here, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said the CA firmly stands behind Smith and the rest of the Australian cricket team.
I find the allegations questioning the integrity of Steve Smith, the Australian Team and the dressing room, outrageous. Steve is an outstanding cricketer and person, and role model to many aspiring cricketers and we have every faith that there was no ill-intent in his actions. We reject any commentary that suggests our integrity was brought into disrepute or that systemic unfair tactics are used, and stand by Steve and the Australian Cricketers who are proudly representing our country.James Sutherland, CEO - Cricket Australia
Australia coach Darren Lehmann too dismissed Kohli's allegation, insisting that the second Test was played the right way.
"Never, ever, ever. Very surprised to hear that, but it's their opinion," said Lehmann when the Australian media asked him about Kohli's controversial claims post India's series levelling win in Bengaluru.
"He (Kohli) has his opinion and we have ours, but at the end of the day we play the game the right way. We've changed the way we want to play, we've obviously changed the side and we're a younger side so I'm pretty pleased with the way we do things now. We've never done any of that, so we'll just get on with the next game," said the coach further.
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