Ball-tampering Row: Steve Smith breaks into tears, says ‘I am sorry’

Former Australian skipper Steve Smith, who has been acquitted for ball-tampering during a match against South Africa, has apologised for the incident during a press conference.

While answering questions to the media, Steve broke down into tears and said, ‘’I am sorry. Want to make it clear that as captain of the Australia Cricket team I take full responsibility. I made a serious error of judgment and I now understand the consequences’’.

‘’I will do everything I can do to make up for my mistake and the damage it has caused. If any good can come of this, it can be a lesson to others, and I hope can be a cause for change,’’ he added.

Steve Smith along with David Warner was identified as the chief plotter in the incident which led to one-year bans on both the players.

Earlier on Thursday, Warner took to Twitter to apologise for the incident and wrote, "To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket''.

"I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy,’’ Warner added.

However, Cricket Australia has cleared coach Darren Lehmann of any wrongdoing, insisting that he was not aware of the plan hatched by the trio.

#WATCH Steve Smith addresses the media in Sydney #BallTamperingRow https://t.co/8MfNkYwzCX

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2018