Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith has broken down in tears during a media conference in Sydney, his first since arriving home from South Africa after the ball tampering scandal.
"To all of my teammates, fans of cricket all over the world and all Australians who are disappointed ... I'msorry," Smith said.
"I take full responsibility.
"It was a failure of leadership, of my leadership.
An emotional Steve Smith, the former Australian Test Cricket Captain, fronts the media at Sydney International Airport. Photo / Getty Images
"I'll do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it has 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.
The skipper who was once compared with the legendary Donald Bradman has seen his career disintegrate over the past week.
Smith and vice-captain David Warner have been suspended by Cricket Australia for a year over the scandal, and batsman Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
Smith was emotional throughout the press conference, saying he would regret what happened for the rest of his life.
Smith cried when asked what he'd say to children who looked up to him, advising them to think of their parents when thinking of making a questionable decision: "To see the way my old man ... and my mum ... it hurts," he said through tears.
"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."
Photo / Getty Images
When asked about his vice-captain's actions, Smith said only that responsibility for the behaviour rested with himself.
"I don't blame anyone, I'm the captain of the Australian team. It's on my watch and I take responsibility for the actions of what happened Saturday in Cape Town.
"I know I'll regret this for the rest of my life, I'm absolutely gutted, Smith had earlier told the media.
"I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness.
Photo / Getty Images
"I've been so priviliged and honoured to represent my country and captain the Australian cricket team.
"Cricket is the greatest game in the world, it's been my life and I hope it can be again.
Before Smith and Bancroft fronted the media, the Australian Cricketer's Association responded to the sanctions handed down to the three players and cited "glaring and clear anomalies".
"Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft made very serious mistakes in South Africa," the ACA statement read.
"It is right that these mistakes are sanctioned, and that must occur in a fair and proper way.
"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.
"The grading and sanctions proposed are considerably higher than the ICC's grading and sanctions;
"The disproportionality between the proposed sanctions and those previously handed down in world cricket for 'changing the condition of the ball' — including by Captains of international teams applying artificial substances;
"The activation of CA's Board as a deliberative body on the proposed sanctions;
"That public statements by CA to date have not referenced consideration of contextual factors including the environment in South Africa during the series and the impacts on individual players;
"The rush to place players before the world's media last Saturday night without the benefit of considered and coherent advice.
"The ACA continues to provide welfare and legal support to all players.
"This welfare support will be critical at a time where the network and environment of each of the three players must play an active role in their rehabilitation.
"The ACA has called for the proposed cultural review to be fully independent and to consider all relevant factors and context surrounding these acts.
"The examination must also extend to CA's response and process following Saturday's events."
The Cameron Bancroft press conference has ended. He has apologised for what he did, said he will let his actions speak for him as 'words don't mean much in these circumstances' and has vowed to regain the respect of the cricket community.
"Thank you very much for coming along everyone. I've had time to reflect on the events in Cape Town and on the punishments handed down to me by the ICC and CA," Bancroft said.
