Darren Lehmann has resigned as head coach of Australia’s men’s national cricket team. 

Having watched the emotional press conferences of Steve Smith (in Sydney) and Cameron Bancroft (in Perth) earlier today, Lehmann said now was the time for a new coach of the national side.

“Saying goodbye to the players was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do,” he said.

The 48-year-old was yesterday cleared of any wrongdoing in the ball-tampering scandal that saw Smith, David Warner and Bancroft all being sent home.

Smith and Warner were stripped of the captaincy and vice-captaincy and banned for 12 months while Bancroft received a 9 month ban for his role.

Lehmann was installed as head coach just weeks after the 2013 Ashes series in England after Cricket Australia sacked South African Mickey Arthur, who oversaw the ‘homeworkgate’ affair in India, which led to four players being suspended.

The fourth Test at the Wanderers will be his last Test in charge.