CA requests more detail about Sandpapergate scandal from Bancroft
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Australia's concussion-blighted Pucovski retires from cricket at 27
8 Apr 25
Cricket Australia has formally contacted Cameron Bancroft seeking new information about the 2018 sandpapergate scandal after an interview with the batsman placed the issue firmly back on the agenda.
The ball tampering saga was back in news recently after Bancroft said it was understood that the then bowling group was in 'full knowledge of the ball being tampered with'. The 28-year-old, who is currently in England playing for Durham in the County Championship, spoke to The Guardianon Saturday (May 15th) saying, "Yeah, look, all I wanted to do was to be responsible and accountable for my own actions and part. Yeah, obviously what I did benefits bowlers and the awareness around that, probably, is self-explanatory."
CA has now asked the batsman to come clean and has told him that he will be supported if he has any new information to share. CA's Executive General Manager of National Teams, Ben Olivier, stated today (May 17) that the board had spoken with Bancroft and provided him the opportunity to provide more detail about what happened in 2018.
"There was obviously a thorough investigation into that incident," Olivier said, in an online media conference on Monday morning.
"There were actions taken on the back of that, and since that time everyone who's been involved in the (national men's) team has worked incredibly hard to rebuild confidence and ultimately aspire to make Australians proud of the Australian cricket team. We've maintained all the way through that if anyone has any new information relating to that incident that we encourage people to come forward and discuss that with Cricket Australia,”
"In this case, our integrity team has reached out to Cam (Bancroft), extending that invitation to him if he does have any new information... or to remind him if he does have any new information in addition to what his input was into the original investigation, there is an avenue for him to do that," he further added.
Bancroft was among three players (along with Steven Smith, the then Australia captain and David Warner, the then vice-captain), to receive lengthy sanctions for their role in the ball tampering saga.
Head coach Darren Lehmann also resigned his post but no other team members were found to be complicit during an initial investigation, including the bowlers who would have benefited from the changed condition of the ball.
