British media have ripped into former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith for breaking down at his press conference after returning to Australia following the ball-tampering scandal.
The 28-year-old batsman cried as he apologised profusely at a press conference at Sydney Airport on Thursday, saying 'good people make mistakes.'
Smith, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, was suspended by Australian Cricket after Bancroft used sandpaper on the cricket ball during the third test against South Africa in Cape Town.
- David Warner says Australia ball-tampering scandal fallout has been 'tough and emotional'
- Disgraced Steve Smith breaks down in tears in emotional apology
- Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann resigns after ball-tampering scandal
The reaction on social media was sympathetic towards the world's number one test batsman, who was accompanied by his father at the press conference. However, the British press mocked Smith for his emotional display labelling him a 'crybaby'.
After a three-month Ashes tour of sledging, abuse ad four test losses, one can only wonder if this is the tabloids shot at payback.
The Daily Mail had the biggest dig at Smith, using the caption, 'Captain Cry Baby'.
The Daily Telegraph was not as harsh saying, 'It all ends in tears for Australia's fallen idol,' while the Daily Express said 'broken'
The infamous press conference even made it to the New York Times 'Cricket hero breaks down in tears on TV over cheating'.
Each of the newspapers used similar images of Smith crying.
Warner spoke briefly to media on Friday morning (NZ time) when he returned to Sydney saying it's been a tough and an emotional time for my wife and the kids.
Bancroft pleaded with fans for their forgiveness after he admitted he lied about how tape was used instead of sandpaper when the news first broke on Sunday (NZ time).
After watching both Smith and Bancroft reduced to tears over the incident, coach Darren Lehmann decided to step down despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by Cricket Australia.
Newshub.
