Steve Smith returns from overseas, issues another apology to fans via social media

Tainted former Australian captain Steve Smith says he’s “come to terms” with the fallout from the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal and vowed to “earn back trust”. Smith is currently back in Australia after an extended trip abroad as the prodigious batsman came to grips with the sanctions imposed on him by Cricket Australia (CA) for his involvement in the ball-tampering plot at Newlands in March.

Smith went overseas last month shortly after touching back down in Australia following the ill-fated South Africa Test series. The 65-Test veteran chose not to appeal CA’s punishment which prevents him from playing international and Australian domestic cricket for 12 months. He is also not permitted to hold any official leadership position in Australian cricket for 24 months.

However clearing the air, the 28-year-old has made a statement on his Instagram account on Friday afternoon alongside a picture of him, his fiancée Dani Willis and his dog Charlie.

He wrote, “It’s great to be back home in Australia. I have had some time away to come to terms with everything and now it’s time to get back into it. The amount of emails and letters I have received has been incredible and I have been extremely humbled by the enormous amount of support you have given me.”

He added, “I now have a lot to do to earn back your trust. To my Mum, Dad and Dani you have been my rock through this and I can’t thank you enough. Family is the most important thing in the world and I thank you for your love and support.”

You can see the post here

It’s great to be back home in Australia. I have had some time away to come to terms with everything and now it’s time to get back into it. The amount of emails and letters I have received has been incredible and I have been extremely humbled by the enormous amount of support you have given me. I now have a lot to do to earn back your trust. To my Mum, Dad and Dani you have been my rock through this and I can’t thank you enough. Family is the most important thing in the world and I thank you for your love and support.

A post shared by Steve Smith (@steve_smith49) on May 3, 2018 at 8:30pm PDT

On the other hand, Smith’s deputy David Warner has also been banned for 12 months while opener Cameron Bancroft has been rubbed out for nine months. New Australian men’s team head coach Justin Langer said yesterday that Steve Smith, along with Warner and Bancroft, will be welcomed back into the national side when their suspensions expire provided they meet “team standards”.