Smith returns, vows to 'earn back trust'

Banned Test captain Steve Smith says he's "come to terms" with the fallout from the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal and vowed to "earn back your trust".

Smith has returned to Australia after an extended trip abroad as the prodigious batsman came to grips with the sanctions imposed on him by Cricket Australia for his involvement in the ball-tampering plot at Newlands in March.

The 28-year-old made a statement on his Instagram account on Friday afternoon alongside a picture of him, his fiancée Dani Willis and his dog Charlie.

Smith said he's been overwhelmed by messages of support.

"It’s great to be back home in Australia," Smith wrote. "I have had some time away to come to terms with everything and now it’s time to get back into it.

"The amount of emails and letters I have received has been incredible and I have been extremely humbled by the enormous amount of support you have given me.

"I now have a lot to do to earn back your trust. To my Mum, Dad and Dani you have been my rock through this and I can’t thank you enough.

"Family is the most important thing in the world and I thank you for your love and support."

Smith went overseas last month shortly after touching back down in Australia following the ill-fated South Africa Test series.

The 65-Test veteran chose not to appeal CA’s punishment which prevents him from playing international and Australian domestic cricket for 12 months.

He is also not permitted to hold any official leadership position in Australian cricket for 24 months.

"I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country," Smith said in April.

"But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as captain of the team. I won’t be challenging the sanctions.

"They’ve been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them."

Smith's deputy David Warner has also been banned for 12 months while opener Cameron Bancroft has been rubbed out for nine months.

New Australian men’s team head coach Justin Langer said yesterday that Smith, along with Warner and Bancroft, will be welcomed back into the national side when their suspensions expire provided they meet "team standards".

"One of the key values for me is learning from the past,” Langer said on Thursday.

"When I think about Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith, they love the game of cricket more than anyone I know and they are great kids. That's why it was a surprise they made the mistake they did. We've all made mistakes.

"David Warner is the same. He's a really great young bloke.

"This will be a really important message: if they are willing to meet the standards of the Australian cricket team, I think everyone has a place."