Steve Smith sobbing: ‘I’ll regret this for the rest of my life’

Former Australian skipper Steve Smith broke down in tears as he fronted the media at Sydney International Airport on Thursday night, saying he “made a serious error in judgement” in South Africa.

A devastated Smith couldn’t contain his emotions when asked what he had to say to the millions of Aussie kids who look up to him and the game of cricket and sobbed as he apologised for the pain he’d caused his parents.

“Anytime you think about making a questionable decision think about who you’re affecting,” he said to young cricket fans. He added through tears: “You’re affecting your parents and to think about the way my old man’s been … and my mum, it hurts.”

“It hurts … 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.”

Smith also apologised to his teammates and said he takes full responsibility for the ball tampering, despite the fact former vice captain David Warner has been named as the mastermind behind the plan.

“I want to, as captain of the Australian cricket team, I take full responsibility,” he said. “I made a serious error in judgement. It was a failure of leadership, my leadership. I will do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it’s caused.”

Smith and Warner have been banned from playing for Australia for a year have been stripped of their roles as captain and vice captain.

Smith said he’ll regret his part in the incident for the rest of his life.

“If any good is to come from this it can be a lesson for others and I hope I can be a force for change,” he sobbed.

“I know I’ll regret this for the rest of my life. I’m absolutely gutted.”

Watch LIVE: Steve Smith addresses the media after returning home to Sydney https://t.co/ljh0A32bMh

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 29, 2018

Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who did the actual tampering by rubbing sandpaper on the ball, all arrived back in the country today.

Bancroft held a press conference in Perth this afternoon where he expressed his “extreme disappointment” in his own actions.

“I know I’m a role model and I’ve not acted like one in this instance. I understand the disappointment in the broader community,” he said.

“Words don’t mean much in these circumstances so I’ll be focusing on my conduct and my actions going forward. All I can do in the short term is ask for forgiveness.”

Warner is yet to face the cameras, but issued an apology on social media where he said “mistakes were made”.

“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it,” he wrote.

“I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans,” he continued. “Its a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy [sic].”

The trio have been under intense scrutiny since bowler Bancroft was caught on camera rubbing a yellow object, now known to be sandpaper, on the ball during the Third test in Cape Town.

There are now calls for mental health support to be offered to them to ensure they get through the public backlash without longterm damage.

What are your thoughts on this? Did you watch the press conference? Do you feel sorry for them, or is this the price you pay for cheating?