Australian ball-tampering: Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft apologise
Former Australia captain Steve Smith broke down in tears as he apologised for his part in the ball-tampering scandal.
Smith and batsmen David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have been banned by Cricket Australia for the incident in the third Test against South Africa.
“It was a failure of my leadership,” said the 28-year-old at a news conference in Sydney.
Bancroft and Warner have also apologised for their actions.
Smith added: “I am deeply sorry, I love the game of cricket, I love kids wanting to play the great game of cricket that I love.
“Any time you think about making a questionable decision, think about affecting your parents.
“To see the way my old man has been, and my mum, it hurts. I just want to say I’m sorry for the pain I have brought to Australia and the fans and the public.”
In a social media post, Warner said the incident had “damaged cricket” and was “a stain on the game we all love”.
Bancroft spoke to the media in Perth and said: “It’s something I will regret for the rest of my life. I feel like I’ve let everyone down in Australia.”
The 25-year-old, who was playing in just his eighth Test, received a nine-month ban from international cricket after it was revealed he used sandpaper to damage the ball during the third Test against South Africa. He had initially claimed he used tape after the incident was caught on camera.
“I lied. I lied about the sandpaper,” Bancroft said. “I panicked in that situation and I’m very sorry. I feel like I’ve let everyone down in Australia.”
Smith admitted that the Aussie “leadership group” had devised a plan to tamper with the ball, and Cricket Australia’s investigation found Warner instructed Bancroft how to carry it out.
The pair have both been given year-long suspensions from international cricket.
Smith, 28, and Bancroft have also been banned from captaining Australia for at least the next two years, while Warner, 31, will not be considered for any team leadership positions in the future.
All three players have been sent home from the tour.
What the players said
Steve Smith speaking to the media in Sydney: “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.”
David Warner on Twitter: “To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it.
“I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy.
“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisors. You will hear from me in a few days.”
Cameron Bancroft speaking to the media in Perth: “I want to say that I’m very sorry. I’m very disappointed and I regret my actions. It is something I will regret for the rest of my life.
“I lied. I lied about the sandpaper. I panicked in that situation and I’m very sorry. I feel like I’ve let everyone down in Australia
“The thing that breaks my heart the most is that I’ve given up my spot in the team for free. People know I worked so hard to get to this point in my career and to have given up that chance for free is devastating.
“It’s going to be a really long road particularly for myself to earn that respect back but for me that’s the most important thing.”
Courtesy : BBC
Photo : Fox Sports
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