Distraught Australian cricket captain Steve Smith on Thursday accepted full responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal that has shaken the sport. The 28-year-old broke down in tears while denying it had ever happened before, saying he was devastated by his “big mistake”.
Cricket Australia have banned Smith and David Warner from all international and domestic cricket for a year while opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was exiled for nine months over attempted cheating during the third Test in South Africa
“I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgement and I understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership,” Smith said, before breaking down in tears. “I’m sorry. I’m absolutely devastated.”
You can read the full text of the press conference here. You can watch the full video of the press conference here:
Earlier, Bancroft had also asked for forgiveness over his part in the ball-tampering scandal, saying he was ashamed of himself. The 25-year-old apologised for what he did, admitting that he lied after panicking at being caught.
He also said he will let his actions speak for him as “words don’t mean much in these circumstances” and has vowed to regain the respect of the cricket community.
The overwhelming reaction on social media after the two press conferences was one of sympathy. A lot of people, including his former teammates and counterparts, were gutted seeing Smith break down repeatedly in the press conference.
Tough to watch Cameron & Steve go through the 2 statements they just made. They will learn from this & be better in the future I’m sure!
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 29, 2018
So very hard to watch, well done Smithy and Bangas, horrible to see the pain they are in! They did wrong but will be back bigger and better! #goodyoungmen
— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) March 29, 2018
Genuine, raw and emotional. A strikingly contrite response to the hysteria, outrage and vitriol clogging up the feeds. I could barely keep it together watching that. A bad mistake won’t define for me the character I’ve seen for a decade. Good human, bad choice. Still a good human
— Peter Nevill (@pmnevill) March 29, 2018
Just seen @stevesmith49’s press conference. As a parent, I’m gutted for him & his family!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 29, 2018
Shout me down if you want, but I’m speaking as a parent!
It will get better mate!
And boy do I hope that a lot of us are completely wrong in thinking these 3 weren’t the only ones to know, cos it’ll be A WHOLE LOT WORSE for those who knew, if they did...!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 29, 2018
I’m done on this subject now!
‘Good people make mistakes’ .. I honestly think Steve Smith & Cam Bancroft are decent guys who had a moment of madness .. they deserve a 2nd chance and hopefully get the right support around them now .. Takes a lot guts to do what they did today ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 29, 2018
Fair play Bancroft and Steve Smith taking it head on and fronting up. That was hard to watch and can’t imagine what they’re going through .People make mistakes but being able to own up and take responsibility takes guts.
— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) March 29, 2018
That was a very moving press conference with Smith. A broken man. A bewildering fall from grace.
— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) March 29, 2018
Let’s hope that’s the low point for Smith. Onwards and upwards.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) March 29, 2018
Just watched Smith presser. Hope everybody has had their pound of flesh now.
— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) March 29, 2018
Haven't Australia made enough of a spectacle of Steve Smith? I'm blown by what he is being put through.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 29, 2018
My heart is breaking for Steve Smith right now. I know he stuffed up but this is tough to watch.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_M_FOX) March 29, 2018
We are not the sum total of our greatest mistakes. My heart goes out to @stevesmith49 who has given me so much cricketing joy over the years. He is also a thoroughly decent human being. I stand by him and will be here upon his return. #SteveSmith
— Peter Helliar 🌈🌥☘️ (@pjhelliar) March 29, 2018
I desperately hope Steve Smith stays strong, recovers and returns to international cricket. I desperately hope Cameron Bancroft is not scarred and, like his captain, is able to make best use of a second chance.
— Neil Manthorp (@NeilManthorp) March 29, 2018
Me, while watching ball tampering video : These Australian cheats should be banned from playing cricket
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) March 29, 2018
Me, while watching Smith's Press Conference : Cricket Australia has been too harsh. Smith is a nice guy.
One particular journalist at the conference seemed to use this as a chance to further his own ends and Twitter was having none of it.
To the bloke who tried to use the press-conferance of a raw & hurting Steve Smith to basically promote his own show:
— Seb Costello (@SebCostello9) March 29, 2018
You are a tool.
To that “journo” who just looked Steve Smith in the eye ... and compared this to Married at First sight.
— Tom Chadwick (@TomChadwickFox) March 29, 2018
You’re a knob and I hope you never work in the media again
Have to say this. That radio show bringing up some reality TV show in that press conference with a young man distraught and looking at the ruins of his career need to have a long hard look at themselves. An absolute disgrace.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 29, 2018
That cockhead at the Steve Smith presser is what’s wrong with the world. Not funny. Not interesting. Just a selfish and pointless operator.
— John Clark (@JohnnyClark83) March 29, 2018