Disgraced former Australia captain Steve Smith revealed he cried for four days after ball-tampering scandal against South Africa
Former Australia cricket captain Steve Smith revealed he cried for four days after the ball-tampering scandal which cost him his reputation and captaincy.
Smith, who was banned for 12 months, was addressing a press conference in Sydney when he initially broke down after being sent home from South Africa.
Baggy Greens batsmen Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were 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".
South Africa fans taunt Smith during their Fourth Test back in March
Despite returning to cricket with Canadian T20 side Winnipeg Hawks, Smith has opened up on the trauma which followed him after the initial incident.
"To be honest, I probably spent four days in tears," he said on a school visit in Sydney.
"I was really struggling mentally and I was really lucky that I had some close friends and family members that I could speak to at all hours of the day.
"The people that I had supporting me through that whole time made a huge difference to the head space I am in now.