Williamson replaces Warner as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain

"I've accepted the role to stand in as captain for this season. It's an exciting opportunity with a talented group of players. I look forward to the challenges ahead," Williamson said in a tweet posted by the franchise's official twitter handle.

"We are happy to announce Kane Williamson as the the captain of SunRisers Hyderabad for IPL 2018." added team's CEO K Shanmugam.

Warner, declared the chief plotter of the infamous incident, apologised for his role in the scandal. He was the captain of SRH last season.

The temperamental opener has been banned for a year and ruled out of any leadership role in future due to the incident.

Shikhar Dhawan was another big name expected to replace Warner as Sunrisers captain.

However, Williamson captaining Sunrisers means there will one overseas leader in the IPL and seven Indian captains.

Williamson is currently busy with the home Test series against England.

Williamson defended Warner Thursday, describing the Australian at the heart of the ball-tampering scandal as "not a bad guy".

With New Zealand's build-up to the second Test against England, starting in Christchurch on Friday, overshadowed by international reaction to the cheating affair in South Africa, Williamson said he has been in touch with Warner.

"It's a shame. The act is not condoned in any team," Williamson said after Warner was named as the instigator of the ball tampering.

"It will blow over in time, but it's grown and grown and, like I say, he's not a bad guy. He's made a mistake and certainly admitted that and they are disappointed with that action." In the fallout from the ball-tampering, Cricket Australia have banned Warner and captain Steve Smith from all professional cricket for 12 months, and Cameron Bancroft for nine months.

Smith has been suspended from the captaincy for at least two years, while Warner has been told he will never lead an Australia side again.

Williamson described the punishment as "strong", but defended Warner as a person.

"He's not a bad person by any means. They (Warner and Smith) have made a mistake, they have certainly admitted that and they are disappointed with that action so they will have to take that punishment, strong punishment that it is," said Williamson.

"But it's a shame that two fantastic world class players made a mistake."

Lehmann admits the culture in the Australian side needs to change and held up New Zealand as an example of how to play and respect the opposition.