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Bancroft: ‘I look forward to playing cricket with Warner’

by Wisden Staff 4 minute read

Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft insists that he is looking forward to playing cricket with the “quality” and “honest” David Warner again, and that he’s striving to “improve as a person”.

Last month, Bancroft revealed the details of the ball-tampering incident in Newlands in March in an exclusive interview with Adam Gilchrist for Fox Sports, in which he said it was Warner who asked him “to carry the action out on the ball”.

Warner had remained silent on his colleague’s remarks while questions were raised on the duo’s relationship, which was termed as “untenable” following the latter’s pre-recorded interview which was aired during the lunch interval of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India.

However, Bancroft cleared the air saying he’s been in touch with both Warner and Steve Smith and insists the players have been there for each other.

“Dave [Warner] suggested to me to carry the action out on the ball"

“Dave [Warner] suggested to me to carry the action out on the ball”

“Absolutely. We’re good people, very honest and passionate people,” Bancroft told the reporters after his 42-ball 59 helped Perth Scorchers beat Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League at the MCG on Wednesday, January 9.

“Dave, like Steve, all of us, we’ve all gone through our challenges. We’ve all been there for each other.

“I look forward to a day like that where I could go out and play cricket with Dave again. He’s a quality cricketer and someone who has achieved so much in that cricket team,” Bancroft added.

However, the timing of Bancroft’s interview was questioned by the likes of Michael Slater and Ricky Ponting.

"We’ve all been there for each other"

“We’ve all been there for each other”

Speaking to Ponting after the BBL match on Channel Seven, the 26-year-old batsman replied to the criticism, saying: “People are entitled to their opinions.

“That’s the beauty of the world. The opportunity is there for people to share those. I go to bed every night, wake up each day looking to improve as a person and … to improve as a cricketer.

“Those other opinions, that’s for other people to control.”

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