‘It’s devastating and I’m truly sorry’
DOWN UNDER Tearful Steve Smith apologises for ball tampering after landing at the Sydney airport
SYDNEY: For former Australia cricket captain Steve Smith, it was reality television at its most heart-wrenchingly real. Having lost captaincy after a ball-tampering scandal, Smith returned to Australia on Thursday night and broke down several times in nationally-televised news conference at Sydney airport.
Smith started crying as he reflected on the effect his involvement in a ball-tampering plot in the Cape Town test last weekend had on his parents, and he apologized for the pain he’s brought onto them and to the Australian public.
In his first public comments following his 12-month ban from the Australian cricket team, Smith took responsibility for the scandal that has rocked the sport in Australia.
“I just want to say I’m sorry for the pain that I’ve brought to Australia and the fans and the public,” he said. “It’s devastating and I’m truly sorry.”
It has been a tumultuous 24
I love kids wanting to play cricket. Any time you’re thinking of making a questionable decision, think about who you’re affecting. STEVE SMITH, on what he wanted to tell kids I made a serious error of judgment and I know and understand the consequences. It was a failure of my leadership. SMITH, on the ball-tampering issue If any good can come from this, then I hope I can be a force for change. I will regret this for the rest of my life.
SMITH, on learning from this mistake
hours for Smith, who left South Africa in disgrace after being sent home by Cricket Australia. At Johannesburg airport, he was led through the international terminal by up to six police and security guards, hearing boos and taunts of “cheater” from a crowd that had gathered at the airport.
HURTING PARENTS
Smith and Cameron Bancroft fronted news conferences on opposite sides of Australia, while David Warner used social media to issue an apology while still in the air.
“Firstly. I’m deeply sorry. I love the game of cricket. I love kids wanting to play the great game of cricket that I love,” Smith said. “Any time you’re thinking of making a questionable decision. Think about who you’re affecting.”
“You’re affecting your parents. To see the way my old man has been ...,” Smith, stopping briefly to cry, continued. “... and my mum. It hurts.” Smith said as the captain of the Australian team, he had to “take full responsibility.”
SMITH GUTTED
“I made a serious error of judg- ment and I know and understand the consequences,” he said.
“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 from this, then I hope I can be a force for change. 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.”