Ball-tampering row: David Warner finally breaks his silence; here's what he said

Johannesburg: While Cricket Australia have banned Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their involvement in ball-tampering, there is a lot which will come out in the next few days as the cricket fraternity will try to recover from the shock of what transpired on Day three of third South Africa versus Australia Test in Cape Town on March.

Although Smith and Bancroft have fronted up the media soon after the outbreak of the scandal, Warner, who is termed as the instigator in the entire row and someone who tutored Bancroft to tamper with the ball, had remained quite even as the Australian cricket team continued to face a lot heat.

The former vice-captain of the Australian side has finally broken his silence and took to his social media channels to share his thoughts and what he is going through in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.

Warner, who is on his way back, was suspended for 12 months like Smith and will never lead an Australian side. The left-handed batsman, on Thursday, apologised fans for his mistake.

Warner wrote: “To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy. I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days.”

Warner, who was earlier to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, is banned from this year's IPL as the team is promised to get substitute. While Warner is yet to speak with the media, he is likely to face a lot of heat as and when he decides to speak with the press, following his arrival in Australia.