Cameron Bancroft counting down the days to his cricket return
After completing “at least double” his community service, banned batsman Cameron Bancroft is “champing at the bit” to make his return to cricket as he nears the end of his suspension.
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Banned batsman Cameron Bancroft is “champing at the bit” to make his return to cricket for Perth Scorchers on December 30.
Bancroft, 26, travelled to Melbourne with the Perth Scorchers for their clash against the Renegades on Thursday night as his ball tampering suspension ticks into its final week.
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The West Australian is eligible to return on December 29 and he will be rushed straight into the Scorchers’ top order for their clash in Hobart against the Hurricanes the following day.
“It’s great to have him around the group,” Scorchers captain Mitchell Marsh said.
“He’s champing at the bit to get back, and we’re all champing at the bit to have him back around the squad.
“It was really nice for him to be on this trip with us. He is the most prepared person you’ll ever meet and he’s ready to go.”
Those close to Bancroft say he has treated the past nine months as a holistic experience and is viewing his return as a second coming in the sport.
WACA boss Christina Matthews said Bancroft was in a better head space.
“As each day in December passes, he’s smiling broader and broader,” she said.
Bancroft was a guest panellist alongside Australian coach Justin Langer at a corporate breakfast on day three of the Perth Test match.
Matthews recently wrote to Cricket Australia to inform them Bancroft had completed “at least double” his 100 hours of community service.
As the youngest member of the ball-tampering trio, Bancroft escaped with a nine-month ban while leaders Steve Smith and David Warner received 12 months.
Bancroft and Smith will also be ineligible for any leadership positions for a further 12 months.
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