AUSTRALIA MAY BAN SLEDGING, SAYS EXSKIPPER TAYLOR

MUMBAI : Steve Smith’s father Peter put away his son’s cricket kit in the garage of their home following a one-year ban on the sacked Australia skipper by Cricket Australia, says reports.

Smith addressed the media shortly after landing in Sydney from South Africa on Thursday, issuing an emotional apology and fielding a few questions on his role in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.

Peter stood beside his son all through the press conference, consoling the 28-year-old who broke down a few times. In footage released by Australian channel ‘Seven News’, Peter is seen carrying Smith’s cricket kit from the car and putting it in the garage while commenting: “He’ll be fine, he’ll survive, he’ll survive.”

At the press conference,, Smith apologised and sought forgiveness from everyone for his failure as Australia captain. He also broke down while talking about the impact the scandal has had on his parents. “To all of my teammates, to fans of cricket and to all Australians who are disappointed and angry, I’m sorry. What happened in Cape Town has already been laid down...I want to make clear, as captain of the Australian cricket team, I take full responsibility. It was a failure of my leadership.

“To see how my old man and how my mum has been, it hurts. I don’t blame anyone. I’m the captain of the Australian team. It’s on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened last Saturday. I’m deeply sorry. I love the game of cricket. I love entertaining young kids. I just want to say sorry for the pain I’ve brought to Australia, to the fans and the public,” a tearyeyed Smith added. He can play local games during the ban.