Australian state side Western Australia to happily welcome tainted Test batsman Cameron Bancroft back to their fold once his ban expires in December. Bancroft, who was charged for tampering with the ball with sandpaper during the Cape Town Test against South Africa earlier this year, was subsequently slapped a 9-month ban until December 29.
Western Australia coach Adam Voges said in an interview to Cricket Australia's website that he is keen on the former Test opener's comeback to the state side.
“One thing I do know about Cam is he'll be prepared,” Voges remarked.
Cameron Bancroft bats for Willetton in the WACA first grade match against Midland-Guildford at Burrendah Park in Perth, Australia, October 6, 2018. /VCG Photo
The former Australian all-rounder-turned-coach added, “I know he won't have played any high-level competitive cricket for a period, but it certainly hasn't stopped him from trying to improve.”
The ball-tampering saga, involving Bancroft, also led to 12-month suspensions for former Australia captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner.
As the 25-year-old Australian's ban will come to an end on December 29, Voges was expecting him to be ready to slot into the Perth Scorchers' squad on the following day for his side's match against Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash Twenty20 competition.
Bancroft (L) speaks at a press conference beside Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) CEO Christina Matthews at the WACA ground in Perth, Australia, March 29, 2018. /VCG Photo
Voges mentioned, “He'll be ready to go. I see a real possibility that he'll come straight back in for that game.”
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has been contemplating a formal request from the Australian Cricketers' Association, the players' union, to lift the ball-tampering trio's bans immediately.
The ACA's request came after the release of the Longstaff review into Cricket Australia's culture which slammed the CA for its role in the ball-tampering crisis in South Africa.