Bancroft to Play in Big Bash League as His Nine-Month Ban Ends

Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft was banned by Cricket Australia for nine months for involvement in a ball-tampering scandal.

(Photo: AP)

Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft’s ban for his role in the ball-tampering incident officially expired on Saturday, 29 December, 2018 and he has already been named in the Perth Scorchers squad for their KFC BBL clash with the Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.

Bancroft is part of a 13-man squad for the match, which has confirmed his return to cricket.

The cricketer was back in the news this week after he wrote an open letter to himself in a Perth newspaper, and then gave an interview to Adam Gilchrist in which he spoke in details about the ball-tampering incident. The interview was aired on Fox Cricket at lunch on the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Bancroft celebrated the ending of his ban with an inspirational Instagram post.

In his post Bancroft wrote, "What a journey this has been over the last nine months."

He mentioned about his struggle post the scandal and how difficult it was for him to keep himself motivated.

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.

Cameron Bancroft

Not only Bancroft, his teammates and opposition are equally delighted to welcome back the 26-year-old in the cricketing fold.

Former Australian skipper and Hobart batsman George Bailey said he is excited to see Bancroft back in action.

"I imagine they (the Scorchers) would be pretty excited to have him back in the group. I don't know how the Scorchers feel but I will certainly be one person who would be very excited to see him back," said Bailey.