Smith breaks silence on ball-tampering saga; eyes World Cup, Ashes

After nearly nine months of the ball tampering scandal that rocked the Australian team, former Australian cricket captain Steven Smith addressed the media. He said he hopes to return to international cricket in time for the 2019 World Cup. When Smith was accused of ball tampering, he said he said he would do anything to make up for his mistake in Cape Town.

The cricketer alongside his father confessed how devastated he felt post the ball-tampering incident and the ban that followed it and said that he was sincerely sorry for it. Smith along with with vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned from playing international and domestic cricket. Bancroft returns from his suspension as of December 30th. Smith also hopes to be a part of Ashes which takes place after the World Cup and play for his country. “I'll keep working hard and if I get that opportunity again, that'd be great," Smith said.

Answering numerous questions by the press present, he said he has been working closely for the cause of mental health. “The work that Gus (Worland) and I have been doing with Gotcha for Life, we’re trying to create mental health awareness around the country,” he added. He went on to say that he aimed to create awareness for mental health as the number of suicides in Australia were alarmingly high.

During his time off, Smith has been playing at Twenty20 tournaments in Canada and the Caribbean and sometimes for his Sydney club side Sutherland. In recent weeks, however, he has been showing up for training sessions with his team. He has also shot an advertisement with Britain's Vodafone group.

While Smith said that the tampering incident has been as failure on his part as a leader, he feels he is headed in the right direction now.