4 May 2018

Exiled Smith returns home

5:28 pm on 4 May 2018

Steve Smith has returned to Australia declaring he's ready to get back to business after coming to terms with his appalling error of judgment in Cape Town.

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith Photo: Photosport

Smith took to Instagram on Friday revealing he had returned home after spending much of the past month overseas in the wake of the ball-tampering saga that cost him the Australian captaincy and a 12-month ban from the game.

Posing with fiancee Dani Willis, Smith - who was spotted at a bar in New York in the wake of his suspension - said he had been humbled by the support of well- wishers.

"It's great to be back home in Australia," Smith said in the post.

"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."

Smith and David Warner - who was also stripped of the vice-captaincy - each copped 12-month bans over the plot to tamper with the ball during the third Test in South Africa, while opener Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

The bans prevent the trio from playing international or Australian domestic cricket, although there is nothing stopping them from signing with an English county side.

It is unclear whether Smith will pursue such a move, although he is expected to return to grade cricket in Sydney next summer.

The 28-year-old remains affiliated with Fox Sports and has been linked to a potential commentary role under their new broadcast deal.

Newly-appointed Australian coach Justin Langer on Thursday said he would welcome back each of the banned trio once they had served their suspensions.

"Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith literally, besides Mike Hussey, love the game more than anyone I know," Langer said.

"They are cricket tragics and they're great kids. That's why it's such a surprise they made the mistake they did.

"If we can keep mentoring them and helping them, and they want to keep getting better and they want to meet the standards of the Australian cricket team, then of course they'll (all) be welcomed back."

- AAP