'˜As an Australian I'm embarrassed,' says England coach as Darren Lehmann looks set to resign

Bayliss, who oversaw England’s 4-0 defeat in his native country this winter, has echoed the insistence of captain Joe Root and senior seam bowler Stuart Broad that the Ashes tourists had no reason to suspect any sharp practice from their hosts.

But as a former mentor of Steve Smith’s when the Australia captain was a young New South Wales all-rounder, he has been shocked by events in Cape Town this week.

Smith has already been banned by the International Cricket Council for the final Test in Johannesburg and fined his match fee for the third match of four at Newlands after he and batsman Cameron Bancroft confessed to a plot to alter the condition of the ball by using tape concealed in the latter’s pocket during South Africa’s second innings.

“I’m obviously disappointed - and as an Australian I’m embarrassed,” said Bayliss.

“Steve is a lovely young bloke who has made a terrible mistake, and I’m sure Cricket Australia (CA) will work out the course of action required.”

CA is expected to make an announcement over the next 24 hours about further punishment for Smith and his deputy David Warner, having already stood both down from their roles temporarily, while Australia coach and former Yorkshire batting great Darren Lehmann is reportedly set to resign.

Bayliss, speaking after England’s innings defeat in their first Test against New Zealand in Auckland, added: “They obviously will be punished, but I’ve no idea how severe... we’ll have to see what Cricket Australia come up with.”

Asked if England had any suspicions about Australian ball-tampering during the Ashes, however, he said: “No. I thought we were outplayed by a much better team.

“I’ve got no complaints.”