‘I will regret this for the rest of my life’ – Steve Smith in tears as he apologises for ball-tampering scandal
Former Australia captain Steve Smith fought back tears as he apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal which has shaken the world of cricket.
Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy and banned for 12 months, addressed a press conference in Sydney after being sent home from South Africa.
Baggy Greens batsmen Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have all been banned by Cricket Australia for illegally tampering with the match ball in the third Test against the Proteas.
An emotional Smith apologised to all Australians, and specifically to his parents, and conceded that the ball-tampering scandal was "a serious failure of my leadership".
"I know I will regret this for the rest of my life," Smith said at a press conference on Thursday morning.
"I am absolutely gutted. I'm sorry and I'm absolutely devastated.
"To all my team-mates, to fans of cricket all over the world, to all Australians who are disappointed and angry, I am sorry. I want to make clear that 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 my leadership. I will do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it has caused.
"If any good can come of this, I hope I can be a force for change. I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I am absolutely gutted. I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness."
Smith admitted that the Australian 'leadership group' came up with a plan to tamper with the ball, and Cricket Australia's investigation found Warner instructed Bancroft how to carry it out.
And he was adamant the Cape Town incident was the first time Australia had ball-tampered during his tenure.
"To my knowledge this has never happened before," he added.
"This is the first time I've seen this happen and I can assure you it will never happen again.
"I don't blame anyone. I'm the captain of the Australian team, it's on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened in Cape Town last Saturday.
"I know I'll regret this for the rest of my life, I'm absolutely gutted. I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness.
"I've been so privileged and honoured to represent my country and captain Australia. Cricket is the greatest game in the world and it's been my life - I hope it can be again. I'm absolutely devastated."
Smith was asked what message he would send to children that follow cricket.
He said: "I'll say two things... three things. 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 is: any time you think about making a questionable decision, think about who you're affecting. You're affecting your parents and to see the way my old man's been, and my mum... it hurts."
Losing his focus as he broke down, Smith forgot the third point he intended to make, adding: "I can't remember what else."
Concluding his press conference, he said: "I just want to say I'm sorry for the pain that I guess I've brought to Australia and the fans and the public. It's devastating and I'm truly sorry."