Steve Smith apologises for ball-tampering incident after arriving back in Australia

Steve Smith has broken down in tears after arriving back in Sydney, as he apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.

Smith, who along with vice-captain David Warner has been banned for 12 months as a result of the incident that occurred during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, addressed the media at Sydney airport, crying at times as he struggled to read from a prepared statement.

"To all of my teammates, to fans of cricket all over the world and to all Australians who are disappointed and angry: I'm sorry," he said.

"What happened in Cape Town has already been laid out by Cricket Australia (CA).

"Tonight I want to make it clear as captain of the Australian cricket team, I take full responsibility.

"I made a serious error of judgement and I now understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership, on my leadership. I'll do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it's caused.

"If any good can come from this, if it can be a lesson to others, then I hope I can be a force for change.

"I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I'm absolutely gutted. I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness."

Smith, who was accompanied by his father Peter, said he was distraught by the hurt he had caused his family.

"To see the way my old man's been and my mum, it hurts," he said.

"I want to say I'm sorry and the pain I've brought to Australia and the fans and the public, it's devastating and I'm truly sorry."

Smith also spoke of his deep regret to have let down children who had looked up to him as a batsman and captain.

"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," he said.

Warner, who issued an apology via Twitter earlier in the day, has been cast as the ringleader in some circles, but Smith took responsibility for the incident.

"I don't blame him [Warner]. It happened on my watch," Smith said.

Bancroft to 'regret' ball tampering for the 'rest of my life'

Earlier, an emotional Cameron Bancroft, who has been banned for nine months for his part in the scandal, asked for forgiveness after arriving back in Perth.

Bancroft, who like Smith was fighting back tears, met the media at the WACA headquarters, apologising for his actions in Cape Town where he used sandpaper in an attempt to tamper with the ball.

"I've had time to reflect on the events in Cape Town and the punishments handed down to me by the ICC (International Cricket Council) and Cricket Australia and I want to say I'm very sorry," Bancroft said.

"I love the game of cricket and playing for my nation and my state, there is no greater pride to me.

"I am extremely disappointed and regret my actions.

"I'm sorry too to those people who looked up to me around the world, especially the kids."

Bancroft admitted he had not told the truth about the use of the sandpaper, instead telling the media in Cape Town in a moment of panic that he had used tape.

"I lied about the sandpaper, I panicked in that situation and I'm very sorry," he said.

Bancroft said it had sunk in how he had let so many people down as a result of the incident.

"I know I'm a role model … I understand I have let many people down and I understand the disappointment in the broader community," he said.

"Words don't mean much in these circumstances, so I'll focus on my actions and conduct going forward.

"Not a second has gone by since Saturday evening when I haven't wished to turn back time and do the right thing during the lunch break (when the plan was hatched).

"It is something I will regret for the rest of my life. It is something I will look to improve on and earn the respect back of the community.

"[For now] all I can do in the short term is ask for forgiveness, I hope you can find it in your hearts to allow me to progress on that journey, for now I will do my best to contribute to the community."

ICC to review code of conduct after Cape Town controversy

The ICC has announced it will review its code of conduct and sanctions in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said his organisation would undertake a wide-ranging review into player conduct, with a focus on "the spirit in which the game is played and the code of conduct".

"This is an opportunity for us to draw a line in the sand and say quite clearly fans are concerned about the way the game is played," he said.

"The reaction ... all around the world shows us that if we neglect the way the game is played, cricket is itself in danger."

The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) has criticised the sanctions handed out by CA to Smith, Warner and Bancroft.

"There are a number of glaring and clear anomalies in the process to date which causes the ACA to query the severity and proportionality of the proposed sanctions," an ACA statement read.

The ACA said the "grading and sanctions proposed are considerably higher than the ICC's grading and sanctions".

It slammed CA for the "rush to place players before the world's media last Saturday night without the benefit of considered and coherent advice".

 

Author: 
www.abc.net.au