Kagiso Rabada, who is contesting an ICC ban for making ‘inappropriate contact’ with Australia captain Steve Smith, admits it was his fault.

‘I take responsibility for what happened. On the video, it looks like I got into the guy’s space, so I shouldn’t have done that. I’ll say 50/50, it’s my fault. I didn’t feel anything in the moment,’ he said at a sponsor’s event.

Rabada is appealing his level two sanction on Monday, with the hope of having three of his nine demerit points removed, hence allowing him to play on.

Cricket South Africa have hired a very high-powered advocate, Dali Mpofu, to fight the case. The ICC have appointed a Queen’s Counsel as the judicial commissioner, making for a very expensive contest.

Rabada said he would reconsider his celebrations. ‘I must obey the rules. I do things because I’m passionate. Sometimes you are bowling against the best players. I guess I shouldn’t really rub it into their faces. It’s a case of still having the passion, but let the batsman be after I get him out.

‘It teaches you about yourself and how you react in certain situations, and what is a better way to react without losing anything. My father has given me advice, short and sweet, he told me to relax and talk with the ball.’

Rabada said he would attempt to set a better example: ‘I guess incidents like these are not the best for children to see, because they can be portrayed or perceived in a bad way. It’s to do things, still being yourself, but realising that people can perceive things in a different way.’

The important thing now is how the judicial commissioner sees it.