After being banned for a year due to ball- tampering, Australian vice-captain David Warner is on his way back home. David put out a post on Instagram and apologized to the fans for the ball-tampering row.

“To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologize for my part and take responsibility for it,” read the post.

“I understand the distress this has caused to the sport and its fans. It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy. I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days,” wrote David Warner on a concluding note.

A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31) on

The ball-tampering incident occurred on the third day of the test match between Australia and South Africa. Steve Smith, Vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft guilty in the ball-tampering scandal, and suspended the trio for the fourth Test in Johannesburg. While addressing the press, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said, “Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all charged after it was found they had prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident. No one else was aware."

After the CA investigation, all three players were found guilty of breaching article 2.3.5 of Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct and will fly home from South Africa on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Darren Lehmann will continue to coach the team. "Darren Lehmann has not resigned and will continue to coach the Aussie men's team," Sutherland added. Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell will replace the three players charged in the Test squad. Tim Paine has officially been appointed the captain of the team. Sutherland also issued an apology to the Australian and South African cricket fans, as well as Cricket South Africa.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2018 11:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).