For former Australia cricket captain Steve Smith, it was reality television at its most heart-wrenchingly real.

Having lost the captaincy after a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, Smith returned to Australia on Thursday night and broke down several times in nationally-televised news conference at Sydney airport.

Smith started crying as he reflected on the effect his involvement in a ball-tampering plot in the Cape Town test last weekend had on his parents, and he apologized for the pain he's brought onto them and to the Australian public.

In his first public comments following his 12-month ban from the Australian cricket team, Smith took responsibility for the scandal that has rocked the sport in Australia.

"I just want to say I'm sorry for the pain that I've brought to Australia and the fans and the public," he said. "It's devastating and I'm truly sorry."

It has been a tumultuous 24 hours for Smith, who left South Africa in disgrace after being sent home by Cricket Australia. At Johannesburg airport, he was led through the international terminal by up to six police and security guards, hearing boos and taunts of "cheater" from a crowd that had gathered at the airport.

Australian Cricket Captain Steve Smith reacts during a press conference at Sydney International Airport in Sydney, Thursday, March 29, 2018. Former Australian captain Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft were banned by Cricket Australia after an investigation into the attempted ball tampering during the third test against South Africa. (Brendan Esposito/AAP Image via AP)

Smith and Cameron Bancroft fronted news conferences on opposite sides of Australia, while the third player involved in the controversial ball-tampering scandal in South Africa — David Warner — used social media to issue an apology while still in the air.

Smith, wearing a sports jacket and drawing deep breaths as he spoke, addressed the fans and the children of Australia who wanted to know why he'd cheated.

"Firstly. I'm deeply sorry. I love the game of cricket. I love kids wanting to play the great game of cricket that I love," he said. "Any time you're thinking of making a questionable decision. Think about who you're affecting."

"You're affecting your parents. To see the way my old man has been ...," Smith, stopping briefly to cry, continued. "... and my mum. It hurts."

Smith said as the captain of the Australian team, he had to "take full responsibility."

"I made a serious error of judgment and I know and understand the consequences," he said. "It was a failure of my leadership. I will do everything I can to make up for my mistake and the damage it has caused. If any good can come from this, then I hope I can be a force for change.

"I will regret this for the rest of my life, I am absolutely gutted, I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness."

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith gestures as he addresses the media after arriving at Sydney International Airport Thursday, March 29, 2018 in Sydney. Former captain Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft were banned by Cricket Australia after an investigation into the attempted ball tampering during the third test against South Africa. (David Moir/AAP Image via AP)

Nearly 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) west, an emotional Bancroft apologized at Perth, Western Australia and said he will forever regret his role in the episode that resulted in 12-month bans for team leaders Smith and Warner and a nine-month ban for him.

Warner was scheduled to arrive back in Sydney late Thursday night, but was not planning to speak to the media.

"Not a second has gone by when I wish I could turn back time. It is something I will regret for the rest of my life," Bancroft said. "All I can do in the short term is to ask for forgiveness."

Bancroft has only played eight tests since replacing Matt Renshaw in the Australian lineup. Now Renshaw has been recalled to replace him.

"The thing that breaks my heart is that I have given up my spot in the team for free," he said, holding back tears. "People know I worked so hard to get to this point in my career and to have given up that chance is devastating."

A Cricket Australia investigator found that Warner instructed Bancroft how to carry out the tampering with a piece of sandpaper during a break in play on the third day of the third cricket test against South Africa.

Australian opening batsman Cameron Bancroft and Western Australian Cricket Association CEO Christina Matthews address the media at WACA ground, Thursday, March 29, 2018. Former Australian captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft were banned by Cricket Australia after an investigation into the attempted ball tampering during the third test against South Africa. (Tony McDonough/AAP Image via AP)

Bancroft initially told a news conference in Cape Town last Saturday that he used adhesive tape and dirt to attempt to alter the shape of the ball. It was later proved to be sandpaper that Bancroft had used.

"I lied about the sandpaper," Bancroft explained. "I panicked in that situation. I'm embarrassed by that. I have never ever been involved in tampering with the ball and it clearly compromises my values and what I stand for as a player and as a person."

Warner, who has lost two sponsors already, posted a statement on Twitter and Instagram to say he is on his way back to Australia from South Africa and added: "You will hear from me in a few days."

"Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologize for my part and take responsibility for it," he said. "I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans."

Smith and Warner were banned from playing for Australia, or any high-level cricket in Australia, for a year. They've also been barred by Indian authorities from the lucrative IPL.

Smith won't be considered eligible to regain the test captaincy for at least two years, Cricket Australia said. Warner will never again be considered for a leadership role in an Australian team.

Australian cricket player Steve Smith, escorted by police officers to a departure area at OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft are being sent home from South Africa for ball-tampering in the third Test in Cape Town. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Sporting goods company ASICS scrapped sponsorship deals Warner and Bancroft. Electronics company LG on Wednesday said it would not renew its soon-to-expire deal with Warner.

Cereal company Sanitarium on Thursday said it was ending its relationship with Smith.

Reports in the Australia media estimate the suspensions could cost Smith and Warner 5 million Australian dollars (US$3.8 million) each in lost earnings and endorsements.

The Australia Cricketers' Association has foreshadowed potential appeals by the banned players.

"There are a number of glaring and clear anomalies in the process to date which causes the ACA to query the severity and proportionality of the proposed sanctions," the ACA said in a statement.

The ACA said the grading and sanctions for the players were well above what the ICC had implemented, and the bans were not reasonable on a world scale.