Ball-tampering scandal: Cameron Bancroft returns to fold with BBL

By Rajdeep Saha

Dec 29, 2018

05:24 pm

What's the story

Tainted Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft saw his nine-month ban end on Saturday. Bancroft was handed the ban in relation to a ball-tampering scandal against South Africa earlier this year. Bancroft was axed by Cricket Australia alongside Steve Smith and David Warner. Bancroft is set for a return to cricket. Here are the details.

BBL

Bancroft likely to feature on Sunday for Perth Scorchers

Bancroft was named in the 13-man squad by Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Perth Scorchers for their next match against Hobart Hurricanes. The 26-year-old is likely to feature in the match to be held on Sunday Perth's coach Adam Voges said, "It's great to have Cam back in the squad again. It's been a long year for him and now he can move forward."

Instagram Post

What a journey this has been: Bancroft

28/3/18 - 28/12/18 What a journey this has been over the last 9 months. For me, in what seemed like troubled times in April can remember lying in bed feeling for some thing. Some inspiration and motivation to get me out of bed. After thinking, reading, wondering and living it came to me that I had a choice. To lay in suffering or get up, show up and act. Action led to motivation and motivation gave me all the inspiration I needed. Here I am now. Grateful of where I am and the person I continue to grow to be. Thank you to every person, group, team and community I have come across over the last 9 months. You know who you are. Namaste 🙏 Have faith and embrace uncertainty. Cam x

A post shared by cbancroft4 on Dec 27, 2018 at 9:35pm PST

Interview

'Dave suggested to me to carry the action'

In a recent interview to Fox Sports, Bancroft said that it was Warner who suggested him to alter the ball against SA. "Dave suggested to me to carry the action out on the ball given the situation we were in the game and I didn't know any better. I didn't know any better because I just wanted to fit in and feel valued really."

Bans

Smith and Warner's suspensions to end in March

Smith and Warner's suspensions are running out at the end of March. They will be seen in the Bangladesh Premier League next. The two will also feature in the Indian Premier League 2019. Post the event, there is the ICC World Cup 2019. Cricket Australia stated that the two players will need to perform in the global T20 leagues to boost their WC hopes.