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.
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.