Australia captain Steve Smith has spoken to the media in Sydney for the first since being sacked as captain of Australia’s cricket team. The 28-year-old who had been captain of his country for four years said: “I will do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it's caused. I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I'm deeply sorry."
The captain arrived home at Sydney airport after returning from South Africa where the ball-tampering happened with Cameron Bancroft and David Warner also being banned by Cricket Australia for their parts in the scandal.
"To all of my team-mates, to fans of cricket all over the world and to all Australians who are disappointed and angry. I'm sorry.
"As Australia captain I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgement and I now understand the consequences."
Smith also denied that the ball-tampering had not happened before under his watch. "I don't blame anyone," Smith said. "I'm the captain of the Australian team. It's on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened last Saturday"
"To my knowledge this has never happened before," he added.
"This is the first time I've seen this happen and I can assure you it will never happen again."
He attempted to end on a positive note saying: "If any good can come of this, if there can be a lesson to others, then I hope I can be a force for change."
See him break down in tears below.
