Cameron Bancroft reveals David Warner asked him to tamper with the ball in South Africa
Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting has ripped into Cameron Bancroft in the wake of the banned opener’s explosive details about the ball tampering scandal in South Africa earlier this year.
Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting has ripped into Cameron Bancroft in the wake of the banned opener’s explosive details about the ball tampering scandal in South Africa earlier this year.
Speaking on Channel Seven prior to the start of day two of the third Test against India at the MCG, Ponting said the 26-year-old’s tell-all interview on Fox Sports was the ‘wrong way to go about rebuilding his brand.’
Bancroft admitted in the interview that David Warner was the mastermind of the sorry saga in Cape Town in April.
“Dave (Warner) 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,” Bancroft, who was banned for nine months for his part, said.
Ponting felt no sympathy for him, saying:“I was a bit shocked at some of the things I read. I was very disappointed at the timing of it. One of the great days of the Australian cricket calendar and we’re listening to this stuff again.
“I don’t think he had to say some of the things he said. Even the way he presented himself in the interview I was disappointed with.
“He’s trying to rebuild his brand. But some of the things he’s had to say have actually done more damage to it.”
Fellow commentator Michael Slater said the interview had ‘buried David Warner’.
“Their relationship is untenable now and the timing is wrong,” said Slater.
BOXING DAY TEST LIVE! FOLLOW EVERY BALL RIGHT HERE
Bancroft said he made the ill-fated decision because ‘I didn’t know any better because I just wanted to fit in and feel valued really. As simple as that.’
“The decision was based around my values, what I valued at the time and I valued fitting in… you hope that fitting in earns you respect and with that, I guess, there came a pretty big cost for the mistake.”
Remembering the moment he had been caught, Bancroft said: “I felt trouble when the picture of me was on the screen, there’s no hiding in that moment. You’re vulnerable, you’re in the open.
“I was in a dark place, I knew that wasn’t good.
“(But) I’m not a victim, I had a choice and I made a massive mistake and that was in my control.”
Bancroft goes on to explain that for months now he has contemplated what would have been if he had refused to be a part of the tampering. And that he always came to the same conclusion. He felt he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.
“If I had said no, and went to bed that night, I would have had the exact same problem,” he continued.
“I would have gone to bed and felt like I had let everyone down. I would have felt that I hurt our chances of winning. If you actually look at both scenarios, they are both related to this idea that all I wanted to feel was a sense of value. Being true to myself, thats what I have had to enquire about alot.
“I take no other responsibility but the responsibility I have on myself and my own actions because I am not a victim.
“I had a choice and I made a massive mistake and that is what is in my control.”
After the interview had aired, Fox Cricket pundit Kerry O’Keefe said he had some concerns over Bancroft’s claim he would have felt just as bad if he refused to tamper with the ball.
“Does that say more about Bancroft or about the atmosphere inside the team culture?”
O’Keeffe said. “I think it says more about (the team), that he couldn’t say no to cheating. That atmosphere should never have been able to develop, but it obviously had.
“I can’t help but feeling it’s still hovering over the team.”
Despite Bancroft’s comments, Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts has denied Warner has been thrown under a bus by his teammates.
Last week, Steve Smith said that his only part in the plot was to walk past Warner and Bancroft and throw his hands up and declare “I don’t want to know about it.”
Both Smith and Bancroft took responsibility for their actions but distanced themselves from the plot itself.
However, Roberts denies Warner has been left out in the cold by the comments and refuted suggestions Cricket Australia are filthy about the two players choosing to speak out at the height of the Test summer.
“The events of Cape Town were investigated and dealt with some nine months ago now so there’s no new news there,” said Roberts.
“What’s important at this point is that we work with the players and with the leaders of the team on the reintegration of the sanctioned players when they become eligible for selection.”
The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed today that Cricket Australia would take the extraordinary step of canvassing the attitude of the dressing room before allowing the banned players back.
Roberts said Cricket Australia would need to be satisfied that Smith and Warner were committed to honouring team culture.
“It’ll be important that the players make a commitment to the new culture of Australia’s men’s team and really to commit to making Australians proud in everything they do on and off the field,” said Roberts.
“But I have confidence that the spirit of Steve, David and Cameron is really consistent with that and early discussions suggest they’re really committed to that, but we’ll use the next few months to work through that in readiness for their eligibility for selection.”
Smith has come under fire for using a paid advertisement to leverage off the ball-tampering scandal, but Roberts refused to be drawn on the approach used by the former skipper to re-emerge into public life.
“I don’t have a view on that. We’re just working on the reintegration of the players over the coming months,” said Roberts.
“That’s Steve’s prerogative. What I would say is that all three players have had a profoundly positive impact on a number of people during their suspension, in the community work they’ve done.
“Steve, as an example, I know for a fact has given hope to teenagers who had lost hope and they’ve done some fantastic work behind the scenes that’s not visible to the public but is absolutely visible to those who were so touched by it.
“And cricket and Australia can be proud of some of the work that Steve and David and Cameron have been doing over recent months to contribute to their communities.”
Since being handed his sanctions, Bancroft has described how he almost turned to teaching yoga amid his soul-searching.
The letter, addressed to himself and published in The West Australian on Saturday, explains how he became involved in teaching yoga and doing community service with the Kyle Andrews Foundation after he was suspended over the incident in South Africa in March.
He says a crucial moment was missing the Western Warriors’ pre-season trip to Brisbane and thinking he may never play cricket again.
“Until you are able to acknowledge that you are Cameron Bancroft, the person who plays cricket as a profession, and not Cameron Bancroft the cricketer, you will not be able to move forward. This will become a defining moment for you,” Bancroft wrote in The West Australian.
The 26-year-old even considered dedicating his life to teaching yoga to help others after a taking a training course in Melbourne in September. “You learn about anatomy, how to teach poses, alignment, the philosophy but most importantly you learn that you can use your life to a greater purpose,” Bancroft wrote.
“New friends will be made, great people with similar interests. Maybe cricket isn’t for you, you’ll ask yourself... will you return? Yoga will be such a fulfilling experience. It’s hard to feel this reality could exist. “You meet people fighting battles greater than you can understand, but through your own hardship and journey you can inspire others in the form of yoga.” But returning to playing tough, grade matches at Willetton District Cricket Club rekindled his love of cricket.
“You wear a blue cap, it won’t be a Baggy Green, but the enjoyment is the same. You love the game. That’s the heart of all passion. Cricket is still well and truly a part of who you are,” the opener wrote.
Bancroft also forgave himself for the ball-tampering scandal, describing how over the past nine months he had changed as a person, particularly in his outlook on life.
“Many people will judge you as a cheat, but that is OK. Always love and respect everyone. You will love those people because you forgive them. Just like you’re going to forgive yourself,” Bancroft said.
“Have faith and embrace uncertainty.”
Every Test, ODI, T20I, and BBL match live & ad-break free during play. SIGN UP NOW!
Watch Adam Gilchrist’s one-on-one interview with Cameron Bancroft on Fox Cricket at lunch on day one of the Boxing Day Test.
Originally published as Cameron Bancroft reveals David Warner asked him to tamper with the ball in South Africa
Allan Border: Why it’s really time for the Gabba to go
He’s known for his resilience on the pitch but Allan Border has had to fight several battles off it too, all uncovered in his sit down with Crash Craddock. WELCOME TO HIGH STEAKS
How the ‘spin sisters’ can help Australia win the T20 World Cup
All eyes will be on the pace duo of Tayla Vlaeminck and Darcie Brown, who have been named in the same World Cup squad for the first time, but it’s Australia’s spinners who are set to be the envy of the competition.