Australia ball-tampering scandal: Outpouring of sympathy for Steve Smith on Twitter; David Warner gets little support

Former Australian captain Steve Smith broke down repeatedly while addressing the media in Sydney on Thursday, following his one-year ban for being one of the key architects of the ball-tampering scandal that had rocked the cricket world over the past few days. “I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgment and I understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership,” an emotional Smith said. “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. I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I am absolutely gutted. Cricket is my life and hope it can be again. I’m sorry. I’m absolutely devastated,” he added. Smith and his former deputy Warner was banned for a year by Cricket Australia following the shocking revelations during Australia’s third Test against South Africa at Cape Town earlier this week. Additionally, while Smith can’t take up a captaincy role for Australia until a year after his ban gets over, Warner will never be considered for a role. Young opener Cameron Bancroft, who carried out the ‘dirty work’ on the field, using sandpaper to roughen up one side of the ball, in order to make it conducive to reverse swing, was handed a nine-month ban. Earlier the International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned Smith for a match and docked his entire match fee. Bancroft had 75 percent of his match fee deducted and was given three demerit points. Warner, for his part, apologised to the fans and said he needed to spend time with his family, friends and advisers before making a statement in a few days. Bancroft asked for forgiveness on his return to Perth, saying he was ashamed of himself. The trio flew home from South Africa after the punishments were meted out. There has been a raging debate over whether the sanctions handed down by the Australian cricket board were too harsh, and Twitter has been abuzz. Here are some reactions on the microblogging site:

Goodbye David 👋🏻

— Jonathan Trott (@Trotty) March 28, 2018

‘Good people make mistakes’ .. I honestly think Steve Smith & Cam Bancroft are decent guys who had a moment of madness .. they deserve a 2nd chance and hopefully get the right support around them now .. Takes a lot guts to do what they did today ..

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 29, 2018

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2 out of the 3 players fronting up to the media .. Speaking honestly and in great regret .. 1 speaking through a statement on social media .. !!!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 29, 2018

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

Cricket has been known as a gentleman's game. It's a game that I believe should be played in the purest form. Whatever has happened is unfortunate but the right decision has been taken to uphold the integrity of the game. Winning is important but the way you win is more important

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 28, 2018

Anger seems to have increased post Sutherland’s presser, has he dug the hole deeper? I think so. Absolutely needed to own everything. #SandpaperGate

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) March 28, 2018

Steve Smith I think is a good guy who made a huge mistake ... He needed punishing but I think this is too harsh ... Bancroft who I don’t know was led astray but deserved punishing but again too harshly IMO ... The other guy I really don’t care about ...

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 28, 2018

One of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers who made a shocking error in judgement now being ushered through an airport like a convicted drug mule.

Regardless of your opinion of him, you can’t look at this image and say you don’t feel slightly bad for Steve Smith. I know I do. pic.twitter.com/FWyZK6XIjk

— Theo Doropoulos (@TheoDrop) March 28, 2018

I desperately hope Steve Smith stays strong, recovers and returns to international cricket. I desperately hope Cameron Bancroft is not scarred and, like his captain, is able to make best use of a second chance.

— Neil Manthorp (@NeilManthorp) March 29, 2018

With inputs from AFP Follow all LIVE updates here