Australian cricketer David Warner has apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, acknowledging it was a "stain on the game".
The former vice-captain shared his apology on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, hours before he was expected to touch down in Sydney.
“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket,” he wrote.
Smith said he was sorry for the “distress this has caused the sport and its fans”.
He said he wants to take responsibility for his actions and has remorse for causing the “stain on the game we all love”.
He has requested privacy over the Easter weekend as he spends time with family, friends and trusted advisers.
Twelve month bans have been handed to Warner and Australia captain Steve Smith. Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
The sanction by Cricket Australians means Smith and Warner are prohibited from playing international or domestic cricket in Australia for 12 months.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banned both players from the upcoming IPL tournament, resulting in the pair losing contracts reportedly worth $2.5 million.
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A number of sponsors have ended their deals with Australian Test cricket, Steve Smith and David Warner and Cameron Bancroft in the fallout from the saga.
Financial services provider Magellan quit its three-year naming rights deal with Australian Test cricket, saying the scandal is "inconsistent with our values".
The company joins Weet-Bix, LG, Asics and Commonwealth Bank in scrapping sponsorships due to the sandpaper scandal in the third Test in South Africa.
The Commonwealth Bank distanced itself by dropping former captain Steve Smith from his role as an ambassador.
"While appreciating the work Steve Smith has done in partnership with us to support cricket for all Australians, in light of recentcircumstances we have concluded our current arrangement with Steve as a sporting ambassador," the lender said in a statement.
- with AAP
