Proteas spinner Aaron Phangiso yesterday apologised for his behaviour during a flight back home from India late last year, saying it was unbecoming of an ambassador of the country.
“There is no excuse for it, and I apologise to everyone that I have offended at the time, and everyone I have let down. I realise that we are ambassadors and role-models, and we should not be acting like that in public.
“We were celebrating a one-day series win in one of the toughest places to play, and I obviously had one too many drinks.
“That still doesn’t justify my behaviour, and I know that I should conduct myself in the proper manner when representing the country, wherever we are in the world,” he explained last night.
Phangiso, a member of the Proteas’ one-day squad which won a thrilling ODI series against hosts India 3-2, winning the final match in Mumbai the night before he and three other members of the squad returned home.
“Those of us who were in the ODI squad left early the next morning, and it was on the flight from Mumbai to Dubai that I behaved poorly.
“The Emirates staff in Dubai explained that I had to stay behind and sober up, and I completely understand their reasons,” the 31-year-old said.
Phangiso was not only drunk but insulted flight attendants and other passengers on the flight.
His behaviour was relayed to team management, and the matter was dealt with internally last year, and Cricket South Africa clarified yesterday that his axing from the ODI squad to face England next month is not connected to the incident.
“We confirm that Aaron pleaded guilty to contravening our player code of conduct and has been sanctioned,” read the statement.
“The punishment for that incident was handed out last year, and that issue is now in the past.
“All I can do is keep performing for my franchise, and look to earn another call-up.”
The left-arm spinner, who specialises in limited-overs cricket for South Africa, said he still harbours ambitions of making the Twenty20 World Cup squad, with that tournament, to be held in India, starting on March 8. - Cape Argus