Steve Smith has decided not to appeal the 12-month ban he received from Cricket Australia for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
Smith, the top-ranked batsman in test cricket, was one of three players banned by Cricket Australia after TV cameras picked up evidence of Cameron Bancroftusing sandpaper to roughen one side of the ball during the third test against South Africa in Cape Town last month.
Smith posted a statement on Twitter on Wednesday saying, "I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as captain of the team. I won't be challenging the sanctions. They've been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them."
Smith and vice-captain David Warner, found to be the instigator of a plot to tamper with the ball, were suspended from 12 months.
All three players have been allowed time to consider appealing the sanctions, which far outweigh penalties imposed by the International Cricket Council for ball tampering.
I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country. But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as Captain of the team. I won’t be challenging the sanctions. They’ve been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them.
Meanwhile, a report has emerged revealing Smith and Bancroft insisted on fronting the media after the tampering was exposed at Newlands, news.com.au reported.
Many, including Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) president Greg Dyer yesterday, have criticised the decision to put the pair up in front of journalists after the scandal broke, but it is believed the players took that call out of team management's hands.
Fairfax Media is reporting Smith and Bancroft were advised to wait a day before going public with their confession but wanted to be honest about what happened.
Smith was reportedly advised to offer few details because Bancroft had been charged by the match referee and promise to provide more information at a later date, but the 28-year-old was adamant about owning up to his mistake.
Many in the cricket world, including former Aussie test stars Stuart Clark and Brendon Julian, believe Smith made things worse by himself by talking to the media after play because he didn't realise the seriousness of what was going on.
"What I'm sure the two boys thought was just a misdemeanour when they had the press conference ... is far bigger than what they ever imagined," Clark said last week.
"The two boys, when they did the press conference, they thought this would just be a slap on the wrist as every other one (incident of ball tampering) has been."
Dyer has called on CA to consider recalibrating the bans, citing their "disproportionate" lengths of nine and 12 months.
Steve Smith's teary press conference in Sydney won over many fans. Photo / Getty
But he says the trio's apologetic, emotional and sometimes teary media conferences after being sent home for their roles in the attempt to alter the ball in Cape Town should also be considered.
"The contrition shown by these men is extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary," Dyer told a media conference in Sydney on Tuesday.
"Their distressed faces have sent a message across the world as effective as any sanction could be."
"I think Australia cried with Steve Smith last Thursday. I know I certainly did.
"We ask for this extraordinary contrition to be taken into account by Cricket Australia just as it would be in any fair and proper process."
In addition to their 12-month playing suspensions, Smith was barred from captaining his country for a further year while Warner won't again be considered for a leadership position.
