Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland addresses the media in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AFP. (Right) Justin Langer

Australia coach Justin Langer paid tribute to the "outstanding" James Sutherland yesterday, saying he would be "surprised" if the ball tampering scandal in South Africa had played any part in the Cricket Australia chief executive's decision to leave his post. Sutherland, who has been chief executive for 17 of his nearly 20 years with CA, announced yesterday he would be standing down.