REPENTANCE

I lied about the sandpaper, very ashamed of it: Bancroft

by Tristan Lavalette • Last updated on

Cameron Bancroft addressed the media along with WACA CEO Christina Matthews at the WACA © Getty

A contrite and emotional Cameron Bancroft admitted to lying during the ball-tampering saga but has asked for forgiveness as the Western Australian opener comes to terms with a nine-month ban and losing his Test position "for free".

The 25-year-old arrived back in Perth on Thursday (March 29) in disgrace after being sent home for his role in the scandal that has engulfed Australian cricket. Under the instructions of former vice-captain David Warner, Bancroft used sandpaper to change the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa.

In front of a packed press conference at the WACA, Bancroft read from a prepared statement before answering questions for several minutes. He was visibly distraught and fought back tears but did not break down. His state coach Justin Langer, the legendary Australian batsman, was also in the room.

Coming into the series under pressure, Bancroft was trying to cement his position after being Australia's leading run-scorer in the opening three Tests before it all came crashing down. The eight-Test old batsman said he was shattered to squander his spot after working so hard to get into the Australian team.

"The thing that breaks my heart the most is the fact that I've just given up my spot in the team to somebody else, for free," he said. "People know that I've worked so hard to be able to get to this point in my career, so to know that I've just given someone else an opportunity for free and that is devastating."

Bancroft admitted he had lied in the press conference after day three when he originally said the object used on the ball was sticky yellow tape. "I lied, I lied about the sandpaper. I panicked in that situation and I am very sorry," he said. "This is something I am very ashamed of, and I'm very sorry. I love the game of cricket and playing for my nation and my state, there is no greater pride to me.

"I'm sorry too to those people who looked up to me around the world especially the kids," he added. "I know I'm a role model. I understand I have let many people down and I understand the disappointment in the broader community."

Many believe Bancroft was thrown under a bus by Smith and, particularly, Warner but he refused to attribute blame. "I'm not here to comment about other players involved," the opener said. "I just want to show how sorry I am and at the end of the day, it's my actions that I'm accountable for and they don't reflect on my values.

"It's something that I'm really ashamed of and I'm so sorry for it," he added.

Bancroft said he was unsure whether he would appeal the sanction handed down by Cricket Australia (CA), which found him guilty on five counts. "At the moment, I have received the paperwork for my sanction, and I respect the process that comes with that. I will work with my manager and move forward with that."

The Western Australian batsman said he was focused on making a comeback to the cricket field. "I know that it's going to be a difficult journey back but the moment I step foot outside this room is the moment I take steps forward to earning that respect back. It is something I'll regret for the rest of my life. It's something I'll look to improve on and earn the respect back of the community."

Christina Matthews, WACA chief executive, hoped rules could be changed for Bancroft to play local cricket. CA has encouraged the suspended trio to go back to the grassroots but WACA rules would need to be tweaked if Bancroft can play for his local team Willetton.

"At the moment our rules don't allow him to play for Willetton," Mrs. Matthews said. "In the Premier Cricket rules, if you're sanctioned by a state or CA, you're not permitted to play Premier Cricket. But we'll work with the District Cricket Council, our own board, and CA to determine whether we will talk to the clubs, as a rule, moving forward.

"That's something we have to work through," she added.

© Cricbuzz

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