Tearful Steve Smith breaks down as he takes ‘full responsibility’ for ball-tampering scandal in front of the media in Australia
Steve Smith and David Warner were stripped from their roles as captain and vice-captain and banned from all international and domestic cricket for a year
Distraught former Australia cricket captain Steve Smith was in tears Thursday as he accepted full responsibility for a ball-tampering scandal that has shaken the sport, saying he was devastated by his “big mistake”.
“I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgement and I understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership,” he said before breaking down at a press conference after his arrival in Sydney from Johannesburg.
“I will do everything to make up for my mistake.
“If any good can come for this... it can be a lesson for others. I hope I can be a force for change,” he added.
“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'll do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it's caused."
Suspended Australian cricket captain Steve Smith gives an emotional apology for ball-tampering scandal https://t.co/rYcnbmn0Gx pic.twitter.com/rpZO3j52w2— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 29, 2018
Smith and David Warner were stripped from their roles as captain and vice-captain and banned from all international and domestic cricket for a year over their behaviour during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town last weekend.