Steve Smith breaks down, David Warner waits to give his side

Steve Smith wept as he apologised for the scandal, while David Warner plans to ‘clear my mind’ before talking.

David Warner has issued an apology for his role in the ball-tampering scandal. Picture: AP

Banned Test skipper Steve Smith wept openly as he spoke publicly for the first time about his one-year ban for ball tampering. apologising to his parents and to cricket fans “all over the world”.

The 28-year-old battled in vain to keep his emotions in check as he expressed his regret over the incident in the third Test in Cape Town.

David Warner arrived back in Sydney with his family several hours later but told the waiting media he would talk “in a couple of days”.

Smith has been banned from state and international cricket for a year, and he broke down while discussing the fallout of the incident on his family.

“To all of my teammates, to fans of cricket all over the world and all Australians who are disappointed and angry, I’m sorry,” Smith said.

“Tonight I want to make clear that as captain of the Australian cricket team, I take full responsibility. I made a serious error of judgment and I now understand the consequences.

“It was a failure of leadership, on my leadership. I’ll do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it’s caused.

“I’m sorry and I’m absolutely devastated.”

• Darren Lehmann quits as Australia’s cricket coach

Like Cameron Bancroft, Smith refused to try and shift accountability for the incident.

“I don’t blame anyone,” he said. “I’m the captain of the Australian team. It’s on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened last Saturday in Cape Town.”

“Any time you think of making an questionable decision think about who you are affecting, you are affecting your parents” Steve Smith’s emotional advise “I am sorry” pic.twitter.com/71rIoCbN2B

— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) March 29, 2018

He said the blatant rules breach had been a failure of leadership.

“I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I am absolutely gutted. Cricket is my life and hope it can be again. I’m sorry. I’m absolutely devastated.”

“I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness. Cricket is the greatest sport in the world.

“If any good can come of this, if there can be a lesson to others then I hope I can be a force for change. 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.”

Steve Smith being consoled by his father Peter during the gut-wrenching press conference at Sydney airport. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Smith said it was the only time, to his knowledge, that ball tampering had taken place on the field under his captaincy.

“For me, my weakness ... I have made a big mistake for allowing this to happen,” said Smith.

“This is the first time I have seen this happen and it will never be happening again.

“I just want to say sorry for the pain I’ve brought to Australia, to the fans and the public.”

The full reality of his situation had clearly taken its toll on Smith.

“I love entertaining young kids. I love kids wanting to play the great game of cricket that I love,” he said.

“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.”

Smith’s father Peter hovered near his son and moved a couple of times to offer a consoling hand on the back.

“I just want to say I’m sorry for the pain that I’ve brought to Australia and the fans and the public.”

Former vice-captain David Warner arrives with wife Candice and their two children at Sydney airport late on Thursday. Picture: Damian Hoffman

Warner waits to ‘clear my mind’

David Warner has arrived home in Sydney, breaking his silence on Australia’s ball-tampering saga with an apology via social media before promising to talk more in coming days, AAP writes.

Comforted by his wife Candice and intent on getting his two young daughters to bed, Warner stopped briefly to talk to journalists upon his near-midnight arrival at Sydney airport on Thursday.

“As you can understand, it’s been a tough and an emotional time for my wife and the kids,” Warner said when asked if he’d heard about Darren Lehmann’s decision to quit as Australian coach in the continuing fallout from the ball-tampering scandal.

“At this present time, you’ll hear from me in a couple of days. At the moment, my priority is to get these kids in bed and rest up and let my mind be clear so I can think and talk to you in a couple of days.”

Bancroft: I’ll regret this for the rest of my life

Smith’s appearance came after an emotional Cameron Bancroft apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, and asked for forgiveness from the public.

Facing the press in Perth after his nine-month suspension, Bancroft said he had never been involved in ball tampering before, and regretted the incident.

“I want to say that I’m very sorry,” he said. “I love the game of cricket and playing for my state and my country — there is no greater pride for me.

“Not a second has gone by when I wish I could turn back time.

“I’m very disappointed and I regret my actions. It is something I will regret for the rest of my life. All I can do is ask for forgiveness. I will do my best to contribute to the community.

“I feel like I’ve let everyone down in Australia and I’m not proud of that, It will take time for that to heal and earn the respect back.”

Bancroft said he had panicked and lied when questioned about the incident after play, when he said he had used tape to try and scuff the ball.

“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.”

Cam Bancroft addresses media, says he loves the game of cricket and there is no greater pride. Hopes one day Australia will forgive him @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/149GEL89pF

— Nicole Hamer (@nicky_hamer) March 29, 2018

The 25-year-old declined to answer directly when asked if he had been bullied into tampering with the ball.

“I’m not here to comment about other players," he said. “I want to show how sorry I am, at the end of the day they are my actions and I am accountable. They don’t reflect my values, it’s something I’m ashamed of and am so sorry.

“I have never ever been involved in tampering with a ball (before now) ... it compromises my values and what I stand for as a player and a person.

“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.”

Bancroft, who has played eight Tests, will be forced to complete 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket as part of his ban from Cricket Australia.

“ I know it’s going to be a difficult journey back,” he said. “But the moment I step foot outside this room is the moment I take steps forward to earning that respect back and get back that dream I’ve had as a kid growing up, and that’s playing Test cricket for Australia “

Warner apologises for his role in tampering scandal

David Warner has issued an apology via social media after being banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for his role in a ball-tampering plot during the third test against South Africa.

Warner, who has lost two sponsors already, said he is on his way back to Australia from South Africa and added: “You will hear from me in a few days.”

Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, who were banned for 12 months and nine months each, will arrive in Australia before Warner and face what were anticipated to be packed news conferences.

In a statement released via Twitter and Instagram, Warner admitted “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.”

The 31-year-old opening batsman said he needs to take a “deep breath” and spend time with his family and advisers, adding Smith and Warner were each banned for 12 months on Wednesday after an investigation into the attempted ball tampering last weekend.

Cricket Australia said Warner instructed Bancroft how to carry out the tampering with a piece of sandpaper.

pic.twitter.com/BaB8vsSvif

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 29, 2018

Smith and Warner were banned from playing for Australia, or any high-level cricket in Australia, for a year. They’ve also been barred by Indian authorities from the lucrative IPL.

Smith lost the captaincy and won’t be eligible to regain it for two years, Cricket Australia said. Warner will never again be considered for a leadership role in an Australian team.

Sporting goods company ASICS scrapped sponsorship deals Warner and Bancroft. Electronics company LG on Wednesday said it would not renew its soon-to-expire deal with Warner.

Cereal company Sanitarium on Thursday said it was ending its relationship with Smith.

Reports in the Australia media estimate the suspensions could cost Smith and Warner $5 million each in lost earnings and endorsements.

Additional reporting: AP