Distraught and disappointed coach Darren Lehmann admits both he and Australia's cricket team have to change, vowing to oversee a cultural overhaul in response to the ball-tampering scandal.
Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland and Lehmann have promised to dig in and disinfect a competitive streak that turned toxic in Cape Town, where three players conspired to cheat on Saturday.
CA will soon conduct an independent review into the team's culture and conduct. Lehmann's influence will be examined but at this stage he enjoys the full support of Mr Sutherland.
The governing body's investigation found the coach wasn't aware of David Warner's plan to illegally scuff the ball with sandpaper.
Lehmann has long planned to leave the job when his current contract expires at the end of the 2019 Ashes in England, which follows a World Cup in the same country.
The former Test batsman was uncharacteristically emotional when he addressed journalists on Wednesday in Johannesburg, reading a prepared statement then struggling to remain composed while detailing concerns for a shamed trio "going through a really rough time".
Warner, who CA claim orchestrated the ball-tampering ploy, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft have all been charged.
Sacked leaders Smith and Warner will miss a full year of intentional cricket if they accept the sanctions.
It is a high price to be paid by the side's two best batsmen, some have opined too high, but a clear signal of intent from the organisation that controls Australia's national sport.
"We need to change how we play and within the boundaries we play. Obviously previously we've butted heads on the line, but that's not the way to go," Lehmann said.
Australia's David Warner, is seated on the team bus after the arrival of the Australian team to OR Tambo International International airport in Johannesburg. Source: AAP
"I need to change.
"We need to work to earn the respect back from all our fans.
"The team has been received quite negatively in recent times and there is a need for us to change some of the philosophies.
"Like all of Australia, we are extremely disappointed and as a team we know we have let so many people down and for that I am truly sorry."
Lehmann added "I'm not going to resign".
Former leg spinner Shane Warne, who was forced to undertake a 12-month road to redemption in 2003 after testing positive for a banned substance, feels CA was too harsh.
"Their actions were indefensible, and they need to be severely punished," Warne wrote on his official Facebook page.
"But I don't think a one year ban is the answer.
"My punishment would have been to miss the fourth Test match, a huge fine, and be sacked as captain and vice-captain.
"There is no way you can condone it ... but the jump to hysteria is something that has elevated the offence beyond what they actually did.
"Maybe we're at a point where the punishment just might not fit the crime."
Indian legend Saching Tendulkar said he the right decision had been made to uphold the integrity of the game.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also found the punishment "too harsh".
Mr Sutherland expressed the same sentiment, noting "I've got a job to do and this only strengthens my resolve to help the game".
He wants a "deep and far-ranging" review of the climate that prompted three players to make life-changing mistakes.
"He (Lehmann) feels some sort of personal responsibility for that. We all do. This is a terrible situation," Mr Sutherland said.
"We cannot have this happen again.
"There is a rebuild that needs to happen to reinstate the faith and the confidence and the pride that the Australian public had, and should have, in the Australian cricket team.
Steve Smith (left) and David Warner (right) have received year-long bans over the ball-tampering scandal. Source: AAP
"You've got to go back to the core and find out what the little things are and address them."
Australia have upset fans and foes alike in recent years with an aggressive approach endorsed by Lehmann, but he now wants players to look across the Tasman for inspiration.
"If we take a leaf out of someone, like say New Zealand's book," Lehmann said.
"The way they play and respect the opposition.
"We've got to make sure we're respecting the game, its traditions."
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