‘I was sighted on screens and panicked’ - Cameron Bancroft after admitting to ball-tampering | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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‘I was sighted on screens and panicked’ - Cameron Bancroft after admitting to ball-tampering

Omnisport, Cape Town | ByBy Jack Davies
Mar 24, 2018 11:16 PM IST

After being charged with ball tampering in the South Africa-Australia third Test, Cameron Bancroft hopes he can rebuild his reputation.

Cameron Bancroft insisted it was his decision to try and alter the condition of the ball during day three of the third Test between Australia and South Africa. (SA vs AUS 3rd Test Day 3 SCORES)

Cameron Bancroft has been charged with “attempting to change the condition of the ball” following an alleged ball-tampering incident during day three of the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.(Twitter)
Cameron Bancroft has been charged with “attempting to change the condition of the ball” following an alleged ball-tampering incident during day three of the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.(Twitter)

The Australian opener was charged with ball tampering, having been shown appearing to rub the ball with a yellow item on Saturday, which was then returned to his pocket before being dropped down the front of his trousers.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

(Read | Steve Smith confesses he backed ball-tampering plan in Cape Town Test vs South Africa)

Bancroft appeared to imply he only had a black sunglasses case in his pockets when approached by the on-field officials, but he later admitted he had used tape from his kit.

Speaking at a media conference at the end of the day’s play, the 25-year-old revealed he had decided to act after being in the vicinity of a conversation between Australia’s senior players.

(Read | Cameron Bancroft charged over ball-tampering in South Africa-Australia third Test)

“We had a discussion during the break, I myself saw on opportunity to get some tape and get some granules from the rough patches on the wicket and try to change the ball condition,” he said. “It didn’t work.

“I didn’t change the ball condition, but I was sighted on the screens and I panicked quite a lot, that resulted in me shoving it down my trousers.

“It was tape. we have this yellow tape in our kit... the sticky side gets very sticky and I felt could be used to collect some stuff from side of the pitch.

(Read | AB de Villiers drives South Africa on in third Test amid Cameron Bancroft scrutiny)

“Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

When asked whether captain Steve Smith had put him - as an inexperienced member of the squad - under pressure to act, Bancroft insisted that was not the case.

“I don’t think in this particular case it was that way, I was in the vicinity of the area when the leadership group were discussing it,” he added.

“To be honest with you I was nervous about it because... all the cameras around, there’s always a risk. I’m not proud of what’s happened at all.

“I’ve got to live with the consequences and the damage to my own reputation, and do my best to move forward.”

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