Tearful Steve Smith seeks forgiveness, apologises

A devastated Steve Smith, former Australian captain, broke down as he admitted that Cape Town ball-tampering scam was a failure of his leadership.

The 28-year-old arrived backed in Sydney today (Thursday) after being banned for 12 months and stripped of the Australian captaincy for at least two years. “I want to, as captain of the Australian cricket team, I take full responsibility,” emotional Smith said while addressing the media.

“I made a serious error in judgement. It was a failure of leadership, my leadership. I will do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it’s caused,” he said.

Watch LIVE: Steve Smith addresses the media after returning home to Sydney https://t.co/ljh0A32bMh

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“If any good is to come from this, it can be a lesson for others and I hope I can be a force for change. I know I’ll regret this for the rest of my life. I’m absolutely gutted,” he said.

Ball tempering scam: Cricket Australia bans Smith, Warner for 1 year

Smith fronted a packed press conference at Sydney International Airport and delivered a heart-breaking message before breaking down when mentioning the impact the saga has had on his family.

“I say two things, or three things,” he said. “Firstly, I'm deeply sorry. I love the game of cricket, I love entertaining young kids, I love kids wanting to play the great game of cricket that I love.

“The two other things are that any time you think about making a questionable decision, think about who you're affecting, you're affecting your parents. To see the way my old man's been ... it hurts. I just want to say I'm sorry for the pain that I've brought to Australia and the fans and the public, it's devastating and I'm truly sorry,” he added.

Smith and David Warner vice-captain of Australia were banned for a year by Cricket Australia while Bancroft was handed nine months suspension by the board.

The scandal broke after Bancroft was caught on camera using tape to rough up the ball in the third Test in Cape Town.

Matthew Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns have been named as replacements for Smith, Warner and Bancroft.