Bancroft says he lied about sandpaper because he 'panicked' in wake of Cape Town controversy

Cameron Bancroft, playing in just his eighth Test match, was responsible for rubbing one side of the ball with sandpaper during Australia's clash with South Africa in Cape Town last week, and his actions were captured by TV cameras

^{Cameron Bancroft addresses the media at the WACA}

An emotional Cameron Bancroft has asked the cricketing world for forgiveness for his role in the Australia ball-tampering scandal, saying he lied to the public after panicking in the wake of being caught.

Bancroft, playing in just his eighth Test match, was responsible for rubbing one side of the ball with sandpaper during the clash with South Africa in Cape Town last week, and his actions were captured by TV cameras.

In the aftermath, Bancroft faced the media and claimed that he used tape rather than sandpaper, only for a Cricket Australia investigation to expose the lie.

The written reasons behind the Western Australia batsman’s nine-month suspension listed “seeking to mislead match officials” and “misleading public comments” on his rapsheet, and Bancroft was at pains to apologise at a press conference at the WACA on Thursday.

^{Bancroft has been banned for nine months}

“I lied about the sandpaper. I panicked in that situation and I’m very sorry,” he said.

“I’ve had time to reflect on the events in Cape Town and the punishments handed down to me

“I want to say that I‘m very sorry. I love the game of cricket and playing for my nation and state… there is no greater pride for me.

“I am very disappointed and regret my actions.

“I know I am a role model and I have not acted like one in this instance.

“Words don’t mean much in these circumstances so I’ll focus on my actions and conduct going forward

“Not a second has gone by when I haven’t wish to turn back time. It’s something I’ll regret for the rest of my life.

“All I can do is ask for forgiveness. I hope you can find it in your hearts to let me progress on that journey.”

Bancroft would not comment on the roles of Steve Smith and David Warner in the ball-tampering incident and did not rule out the possibility of an appeal.

Each of the three banned players have the right to a code of behaviour hearing.

THE RAP SHEET IN FULL

STEVE SMITH

- Knowledge of a plan to artificially alter the condition of the ball

- Failure to prevent the implementation of the plan

- Directing the concealment of evidence on the field of play

- Seeking to mislead match officials

- Misleading public comments

DAVID WARNER

- Development of a plan to artificially alter the condition of the ball

- Instruction to a junior player to carry out the plan

- Advising a junior player over how to alter the condition of the ball

- Demonstrating how artifical alteration of the ball's condition could be achieved

- Failure to prevent the implementation of the plan

- Failure to report knowledge of the plan

- Misleading match officials

CAMERON BANCROFT

- Knowledge of and being party to the plan

- Carrying out instructions to artificially alter the condition of the ball

- Seeking to conceal evidence

- Seeking to mislead match officials

- Misleading public comments

“At the moment, I’ve received the paperwork for my sanction and I respect the process that’s going to come with that. I’ll work with my manager and we’ll move forward,” Bancroft said.

“I’m not going to comment on other players involved. I just want to show how sorry I am. It’s my actions and I’m accountable for it. They don’t reflect on my values and what I’ve grown up to be, they don’t reflect my values and it’s something I‘m ashamed about.

“Through this whole experience it’s been so obvious to see how important the game of cricket is to the Australian public. We’re representations of that. For me, it’s been a very big wake-up call for myself for what that means and how amazing an opportunity it is to wear the Baggy Green cap.

“I feel like I’ve let everyone down in Australia.”

Bancroft’s voice cracked as he described his emotions of the past five days.

^{The opening batsman asked for forgiveness}

Having only just broken into the Aussie Test side, he now faces a daunting task in regaining his place; Matt Renshaw has been called into the squad as his replacement.

While Cricket Australia said the banned players would be eligible and encouraged to play in club cricket during their suspensions, WACA rules mean Bancroft would not currently be permitted from featuring at grade level.

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews suggested a rule change could be on the way but Bancroft's route to redemption appears to be a steep one.

“Through the last few days, sitting in my own company and just thinking the thing that breaks my heart is I’ve given up my spot in the team for somebody else, for free,” he said.

“People know I’ve worked so hard to get to this point in my career. To know I’ve given somebody else an opportunity for free is devastating.”

When asked whether this was the first time he had been caught up in a ball-tampering episode, Bancroft said: “I have never, ever been involved in tampering with the ball. It completely compromises my values and what I stand fort as a player and as a person. For Australian cricket, it is not acceptable.

“I had the opportunity to take control of my own values and my own actions and I didn’t. That’s a real embarrassment for me.

“I’m sorry for what it’s entailed since then. It’s a responsibility I can fully take on myself.”

NOW READ

Warner says sorry: It's a stain on the game

Lehmann: The players are not bad people