Australia's Steve Smith will not challenge ball-tampering sanctions
ByReuters
Updated 04/04/2018 at 06:51 GMT
Banned Steve Smith will not challenge the sanctions imposed on him by Cricket Australia for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, the former captain said on Wednesday.
Cricketer Steve Smith reacts at a press conference at the airport in Sydney on March 29, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
Smith and former vice captain Warner were handed 12-month bans and batsman Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months by CA after the latter was caught using a piece of sandpaper on the ball in the third test in Cape Town.
"I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country," Smith said on his verified Twitter account.
"But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as Captain of the team.
I won't be challenging the sanctions. They've been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them.
A tearful Smith broke down repeatedly during a very emotional press conference last week as he issued an apology following the ball-tampering scandal.
Former captain Smith, who has been by Cricket Australia for his part in the scandal that took place during the test against South Africa in Cape Town, gave a press conference after he arrived back in Australia.
Smith, 28, repeatedly broke down in tears as he first read a statement before taking a few questions and then eventually having to leave.
“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.” Smith said.
“I take full responsibility ... There was a failure of leadership, of my leadership. I'll do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it's caused.
“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. I know I'll regret this for the rest of my life. I'm absolutely gutted. I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness.
"Cricket is the greatest sport in the world. It's been my life and I hope it can be again. I'm sorry and I'm absolutely devastated."
Smith and Warner were also stripped of their leadership positions for their role in the March 24 incident and are set to lose substantial earnings after sponsors dropped them, with the bans meaning they will miss this year's Indian Premier League.
Smith and Bancroft were also barred from holding leadership positions within the Australian team for two years, while Warner will never be able to hold such a position again.
The trio returned to Australia at the end of last week, where all three gave emotional news conferences in which they accepted full responsibility for their actions.
Despite the backlash to the incident, Australia's players' union called for a reduction in the bans meted out to the players, describing them as "disproportionate".
The players have until Thursday to appeal their bans with Smith the first to confirm he will not contest the sanctions.
The ball-tampering scandal was the low point of an already tempestuous tour in which the sides split the opening two tests before South Africa went on the register easy victories in the remaining two matches to win the series 3-1.
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