Tearful Australian cricketer David Warner apologises for ball-tampering

Australian cricketer David Warner has said he realises he may never play for his country again as he tearfully apologised for his role in the recent ball-tampering scandal.

Speaking at a news conference in Sydney, the former opening batsman said: "I failed in my responsibility as vice-captain of the Australia cricket team.

"To the fans and the lovers of the game who have supported and inspired me on my journey as a cricketer, I want to sincerely apologise for betraying your trust in me.

"I have let you down badly."

Addressing Australians, Warner said: "I apologise for my actions and I'm sorry for the impact those actions have had on our country's reputation.

"I can honestly say I have only ever wanted to bring glory to my country through playing cricket.

"In striving to do so, I have made a decision which has had the opposite effect and it's one that I will regret for as long as I live."

He added: "I just want to move on from this.

"It is going to take a long time to earn respect back from the Australian public."

Warner and former Australia captain Steve Smith were banned from cricket for a year for their part in the ball-tampering controversy on the third day of the test at Cape Town.

Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

Warner was accused of developing the plan to use sandpaper to scuff the ball, with investigators from Cricket Australia saying he had advised Bancroft and failed to report his knowledge of the plan after the match.

Warner cut short Saturday's news conference after being asked if he was being singled out as the instigator.

Before that, he had also apologised to cricket fans and players in South Africa, saying: "I have brought the game into disrepute on your soil, and I apologise 100%."

He added: "We let our country down, we made a bad decision.

"I really wish and hope that Steve (Smith) and Cameron (Bancroft) have the same support that I have with me because it's going to be a tough and emotional time these next 12 months."

Warner's apology comes after similarly tearful confessions from Smith and from Australia's coach Darren Lehmann, who resigned from his position but said he had no prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plan.

Warner, Smith and Bancroft have seen sponsorship deals fade, and the loss of lucrative overseas contracts as a result of the scandal.