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Cameron Bancroft

1 05 Bancroft departs
1 05 Bancroft departs Image: Wikimedia Commons. Dave Morton / Public domain

Cameron Timothy Bancroft (born 19 November 1992) is an Australian cricketer who plays first-class and Twenty20 cricket. He is contracted to Western Australia in Australian first-class cricket, Gloucestershire in English first-class cricket, and the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. Bancroft made his Test debut for the Australian national team in November 2017, and is widely known for his involvement in the ball-tampering incident during Australia's tour of South Africa in March 2018.

Key facts

Full name Cameron Timothy Bancroft
Date of birth 19 November 1992
Nationality Australian
Test debut November 2017, for Australia
Domestic team (Australia) Western Australia
County team (England) Gloucestershire
Big Bash League team Sydney Thunder

Background

Bancroft is a top-order batter who progressed through Australian domestic cricket with Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield. His county engagement with Gloucestershire has formed a regular part of his English-summer schedule, while in the Big Bash League he has been associated with both the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Thunder.

International career

Bancroft was selected for the Australian Test side in late 2017, making his debut in November 2017. His early international career was disrupted a few months later by the events on the tour of South Africa in March 2018.

Ball-tampering incident, 2018

During the third Test against South Africa in March 2018, Bancroft was involved in an on-field ball-tampering incident. Following an investigation by Cricket Australia, on 27 March 2018 Bancroft, along with captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, was charged with bringing the game into disrepute, suspended, and sent home from the tour.

On the following day, Cricket Australia announced that Bancroft would be banned from all international and domestic cricket for nine months, and from holding any leadership role in Australian cricket for an additional year.

Return to cricket

Bancroft returned to competitive cricket on 30 December 2018, playing for the Perth Scorchers in the 2018–19 Big Bash League season. He also marked his return to the Sheffield Shield with a score of 138 not out.

Timeline

  • 19 November 1992 – Born in Australia.
  • November 2017 – Made his Test debut for Australia.
  • March 2018 – Involved in the ball-tampering incident during the third Test against South Africa.
  • 27 March 2018 – Charged by Cricket Australia with bringing the game into disrepute, suspended, and sent home from the tour, along with Smith and Warner.
  • 28 March 2018 – Banned by Cricket Australia for nine months from international and domestic cricket, plus a further year-long bar from leadership roles.
  • 30 December 2018 – Returned to cricket with the Perth Scorchers in the 2018–19 Big Bash League.

Significance

Bancroft's career is closely associated with the 2018 ball-tampering episode, one of the most discussed disciplinary events in modern cricket. The sanctions imposed by Cricket Australia on him, Steve Smith and David Warner prompted wider debate about player conduct, on-field ethics and team culture in Australian cricket.

References