Tearful Smith accepts responsibility for ball-tampering scandal

SYDNEY, Mar 29 (AFP): Distraught former Australia cricket captain Steve Smith was in tears Thursday as he accepted full responsibility for a ball-tampering scandal that has shaken the sport, saying he was devastated by his "big mistake".

"I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgement and I understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership," he said before breaking down at a press conference after his arrival in Sydney from Johannesburg.

"I will do everything to make up for my mistake.

"If any good can come for this... it can be a lesson for others. I hope I can be a force for change," he added.

Smith and David Warner were stripped from their roles as captain and vice-captain and banned from all international and domestic cricket for a year over their behaviour during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town last weekend.

Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

Warner also broke his silence on Thursday, apologising and accepting his role in the cheating storm.

Disgraced Australian opener said he took responsibility for his part in a ball-tampering scandal that has shocked the cricketing world.

"Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket," he said on Instagram in breaking his silence over the incident in the third Test against South Africa last weekend.

"I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it."

Bancroft asked for forgiveness on his return to Perth, saying he was ashamed of himself.

An emotional Bancroft asked for forgiveness Thursday over his part in a ball-tampering scandal, saying he was ashamed of himself, but refused to comment on the role David Warner played.

"It is something I will regret for the rest of my life. All I can do in the short term is ask for forgiveness," Bancroft, who was close to tears, told reporters in Perth after arriving home from Johannesburg.