'I'm sorry for the pain I've caused Australia': Steve Smith
Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith has accepted full responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal which shocked the world last week.
Smith held a press conference on his arrival in Sydney, Australia.
"I don't blame anyone. I'm the captain of the Australian team and it's not on my watch. I know that I will regret this for the rest of my life. I want to say I'm sorry for the pain I have brought to Australian fans. I am truly sorry," Smith said.
He and opening batsman David Warner had been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia following their involvement in the incident.
"I'll do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it's caused."
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 29, 2018
Suspended Australian cricket captain Steve Smith gives an emotional apology for ball-tampering scandal https://t.co/rYcnbmn0Gx pic.twitter.com/rpZO3j52w2
Video footage shows teammate, Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the surface of the ball, which had been used in the third Test against the Proteas, in Cape Town.
Bancroft, who had been speaking to the media following his arrival back in Perth today, is begging forgiveness following the incident.
"To those people who looked have up to me around the world - especially the kids. I am a role model and have not acted like one in this instance. Words don't mean much in these circumstances so I'll focus on my actions and conduct going forward," Bancroft said.
Warner issued an apology on Instagram - for his part in a cheating scandal - on Instagram. See below.