Who said what: Cricketing world reacts to teary-eyed Steve Smith's press conference

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"It was a failure of my leadership"

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An emotional Steve Smith addressed the media upon his arrival in Sydney and apologised for his actions. The now-former captain, along with former vice-captain David Warner, has been handed a ban of one year from international and domestic cricket by Cricket Australia. Youngster Cameron Bancroft, who was actually caught tampering the ball on his seniors' 'order', has been banned for nine months.

"It was a failure of my leadership," said the 28-year-old.

"I am deeply sorry, I love the game of cricket, I love kids wanting to play the great game of cricket that I love. Any time you think about making a questionable decision, think about affecting your parents.

"To see the way my old man has been, and my mum, it hurts. I just want to say I'm sorry for the pain I have brought to Australia and the fans and the public," he added.

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Here's how the cricketing world reacted on his teary-eyed press conference.

Michael Clarke

DEVASTATING!

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 29, 2018

Kevin Pietersen

Just seen @stevesmith49’s press conference. As a parent, I’m gutted for him & his family!

Shout me down if you want, but I’m speaking as a parent!

It will get better mate!

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 29, 2018

Michael Vaughan

‘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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Harsha Bhogle

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

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Mitchell Johnson

Tough to watch Cameron & Steve go through the 2 statements they just made. They will learn from this & be better in the future I’m sure!

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 29, 2018

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Matt Prior

Sitting in front of the worlds press and admitting your lies & mistakes is taking it head on in my book. They have done wrong they have been punished. Would have been easy to hide behind social media but they didn’t...well two of them didn’t https://t.co/r17Y0OnwW5

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) March 29, 2018

Fair play Bancroft and Steve Smith taking it head on and fronting up. That was hard to watch and can’t imagine what they’re going through .People make mistakes but being able to own up and take responsibility takes guts.

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) March 29, 2018

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Mohammad Kaif

Feel the pain he is going through. Waiting for him to come back soon and cause delight to fans across the world with his supreme batsmanship. Remember Warne served a 1 year ban for a banned substance and came back with 26 wkts in 3 tests against SL. https://t.co/u6gE93aPvM

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 29, 2018

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Aakash Chopra

You gave us a lot of joy with the bat, Steve....it’s unfortunate and devastating to see this. Hope you bounce back stronger. #SandpaperGate #SteveSmith https://t.co/A4burwbzBz

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 29, 2018

Public outrage resulted in a disproportionate punishment.
Will public sympathy result in reducing the punishment? #SteveSmith #sandpapergate

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 29, 2018

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Rohit Sharma

pic.twitter.com/w7LX6a2EYU

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 29, 2018

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