David Warner issues tearful apology and accepts his Australia career might be over, but refuses to fully explain scandal

Disgraced former vice-captain batted away questions about whether other players or staff knew about the ball-tampering plan and whether Cricket Australia used him as a scapegoat

Australia’s disgraced former vice-captain David Warner has accepted that his international career may be over after masterminding the ball-tampering scandal, with the banned opening batsman becoming the latest to issue a tearful apology during a press conference on Saturday.

Warner followed his former captain Steve Smith and head coach Darren Lehmann in breaking down into tears while attempting to explain himself to the media, having received a one-year ban from international and state cricket for his role in last Saturday’s incident against South Africa.

Smith, Lehmann and Cameron Bancroft – who actually carried out the ball-tampering act in Cape Town last week – all held press conferences on Thursday, but Warner only issued a statement on Twitter and said that he needed “a few days” to think about the events that had taken place. During that time, Cricket Australia firmly laid the blame on Warner for planning to cheat and drafting in junior player Bancroft to carry it out, while he also lost his place in this season’s Indian Premier League and the lucrative AUD$2.4m [£1.3m] contract that goes with it.

But the 31-year-old broke his silence on Saturday in the form of a press conference in Sydney, in which he accepted “full responsibility” for planning the scandal.

"I failed in my responsibility as vice-captain of the Australia cricket team,” Warner said.

"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.”

Like Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann, Warner was unable to hold back the tears while apologising (Reuters)

He added: "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."

But after inviting questions from the media, Warner refused to answer whether the plan was restricted to just himself, Smith and Bancroft – as has been claimed – or whether others were aware of the plan as has been suggested. Warner also batted away a question regarding whether he was the ringleader in the incident or whether he felt that he was being made a scapegoat by the governing body, with the Sydney native later adding that he will “do his best” to answer these questions “in time” but that Cricket Australia have a formal process that needs to be followed.

Warner accepted 'full responsibility' for the cheating scandal (EPA)

After batting away three questions, Warner left the press conference before any more could be asked.

The scandal has gone down as the biggest in Australian sporting history, having claimed the Australia captain, vice-captain, a junior batsman and on Thursday the head coach after Lehmann announced his resignation effective immediately after the final Test against South Africa that ends on Tuesday.

Lehmann initially claimed that he would not be standing down, but after watching the emotional press conferences involving Smith and Bancroft, he felt that there was no other option than to leave his post.

Warner, who was not mentioned by Lehmann when announcing his resignation, added that the three players had let their nation down, and accepted that he may never receive a recall to the Australia team once his ban expires next March.

"We let our country down, we made a bad decision. I really regret what happened on that day three,” Warner said.

"We know what the consequences are when you make horrible decisions like this.

"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."

He added: "In the back of my mind, I suppose there is a tiny ray of hope that I may one day be given the privilege of playing for my country again.

"But I am resigned to the fact that that may never happen."

Warner has also been axed by sponsors LG, who announced on Tuesday that they will not be renewing their contract with him following the scandal, while his place in the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team has been taken by England batsman Alex Hales, the club announced on Saturday.