"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," says Smith.
Thursday 29 March 2018 19:47, UK
An emotional Steve Smith has taken full responsibility for the Australian ball-tampering scandal and says he "failed" as a captain.
Smith has been banned for 12 months for his role in a plan for Cameron Bancroft to use sandpaper to manipulate the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa.
Cricket Australia have said the only players aware of the plan were Smith, Bancroft and vice-captain David Warner and the three players were sent home ahead of the fourth Test, which starts in Johannesburg later this week.
Warner, identified as central to the plan and also banned for 12 months, apologised for "staining the game" in a social media post on Thursday, but an emotional Smith apologised for letting the actions happen under his leadership.
"I want to make clear that as captain I take full responsibility," Smith said, shortly after arriving home at Sydney airport. "I made a serious error of judgement.
"It was a failure of leadership, my leadership.
"I'll do everything I can to make up for my mistake."
Smith added: "I don't blame anyone. I'm captain of Australia. It's on my watch."
The 28-year-old, who has been banned from captaining Australia for the next two years, insisted the third Test in South Africa was an isolated incident and that he is not aware of any other ball-tampering offences.
"To my knowledge this has never happened before," he said.
Smith broke down again as he said he hoped the mistakes he has made can be a lesson to people in the future.
He said: "Any time you think about making a questionable decision think about who you're affecting, your parents - to see the way my old man has been, my mum, it hurts.
"I just want to say I'm sorry for the pain I've brought to Australia, the fans and the public. It's devastating."
The ECB was awaiting clarification from Cricket Australia on Thursday before deciding whether Smith, Bancroft and Warner should be allowed to play county cricket this summer.
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