While speaking to media on his return from South Africa, Steve Smith broke down and said it was a failure of his leadership. In the emotional press conference, the 28-year-old also talked about how he ended up hurting his father and mother and the Australian cricket team fans. "Any time you think about making a questionable decision, think about affecting your parents. To see the way my old man has been, and my mum, it hurts. I just want to say I'm sorry for the pain I have brought to Australia and the fans and the public,” said the cricketer. However, what could have proved as a relief for Smith was that his father was standing beside him during the presser.

While Smith addressed the media, his father, Peter Smith, was seen standing next to him. Peter even consoled the troubled cricketer when he broke down. Earlier, when the ball-tampering scandal came to light, Smith’s father said he is standing by his son. However, the old man also admitted that the scandal is too painful to bear. “I’m deliberately not reading about it or watching it on TV, as I don’t want to know,” Smith’s father, Peter, told The Daily Telegraph.

“Steve knows we’re supporting him, he’s our son, we’re there for him no matter what. “It’s a very difficult time for the family, for all of us, not just Steve. We’re speaking to him on the phone every day. He’s been calling us,” he added.

The picture of Smith and his dad standing by his side has now gone viral and Twitterati are feeling sad for the Smith family. Here are some of the reactions, we found on Twitter:

After being found involved in the ball-tampering scandal, Smith along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft was banned by Cricket Australia (CA). While Smith and Warner were handed a one-year ban, Bancroft was banned for nine months.

Following the ban, Smith and Warner have been barred from playing in the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). Meanwhile, Australia’s head coach Darren Lehmann, despite being cleared by CA, will quit from his post after the fourth Test against South Africa.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2018 10:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).