Watch: An Emotional Steve Smith Breaks Down While Apologising For Ball Tampering

Disgraced Australian cricketer Steve Smith held a press conference today, in lieu of the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the cricketing world.

Steve Smith, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, were found guilty of ball tampering during a match against South Africa in Cape Town.

The scandal is now being called #SandpaperGate, since sandpaper was used by Bancroft to tamper the ball.

After inquiry by the Australian cricket authorities, Bancroft has received a nine-month ban in international and domestic cricket, while both Smith and Warner have been handed a 12-month ban in international cricket each, with suspended leadership.

In the press conference, Steve Smith faced the media for the first time since the ban was announced, and was visibly shaken even as he gave his statement on the incident.

“I am sorry. Tonight I want to make one thing clear, that as captain for the Australian team, I take full responsibility. I made a serious error of judgement and I now understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership, of my leadership.”

At one point, unable to hold back his tears, Smith breaks down completely, and has to be comforted.

You can watch the full video here:

The broken former captain’s tears seemed to have melted the hearts of cricket fans all over, with many saying that he had been put through enough and needs to be given a break.

A public spectacle of a cricketer of his stature, considered to be one of the best batsmen of our times, seems overkill.

1. We are not the sum total of our mistakes….

We are not the sum total of our greatest mistakes. My heart goes out to @stevesmith49 who has given me so much cricketing joy over the years. He is also a thoroughly decent human being. I stand by him and will be here upon his return. #SteveSmith

— Peter Helliar (@pjhelliar) March 29, 2018

2. Remember how ruined was Kabir Khan from Chak De?

A total broken man who does know the gravity of his situation. #SteveSmith – really hope his psychological state is observed as no-one, no-one deserves to mentally suffer for the rest of their life. For a ball game. #cricket

— Melissa Hoyer (@melissahoyer) March 29, 2018

3. Melting the ice….

You can think what you want about the offence…

…but you have to have ice in your veins if you enjoyed that public execution #SteveSmith

— Aaron Kearney (@aaronkearneyaus) March 29, 2018

4. Too harsh!

Me, while watching ball tampering video : These Australian cheats should be banned from playing cricket

Me, while watching Smith's Press Conference : Cricket Australia has been too harsh. Smith is a nice guy.

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) March 29, 2018

5. Ladka toh accha hi hai na par?

Steve Smith *does ball tampering*
Everyone : what a cheat! He shamed the gentleman’s game. Shame shame!

Steve Smith *cries during press conference*
Everyone : awww! Ladka to achha hai waise aww

— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) March 29, 2018

6. It’s time, people.

Time to give Steve Smith a break,I think.

— LaurieOakes (@LaurieOakes) March 29, 2018

7. Forgiveness seems possible.

Steve Smith owning up to his mistakes & breaking down @ the press conference is his first step towards redemption…..
And yeah being an ardent cricket fan I can forgive him…. #SAvAUS #CricketAustralia #

— Abhijith S (@Abhi_mania) March 29, 2018

8. There was a journalist who tried to get a little too frisky with Smith, asking him a question meant to promote his radio show. And the internet was NOT impressed.

To that “journo” who just looked Steve Smith in the eye … and compared this to Married at First sight.

You’re a knob and I hope you never work in the media again

— Tom Chadwick (@TomChadwick_7) March 29, 2018

9. Looks broken….

Steve Smith has been rightly punished but now I hope someone keeps a close, caring eye on him. Looks broken.

— David Flatman (@davidflatman) March 28, 2018

10. Can we stop now, please?

Haven't Australia made enough of a spectacle of Steve Smith? I'm blown by what he is being put through.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 29, 2018

The guilty have been identified. The crime has been confessed and appropriately punished. But no law allows a man to punished twice for the same crime. So it is only fair that these players be left alone to serve their bans, without harassing them publicly in such a harsh fashion.

What do you think?