The ball-tampering saga engulfed the Australian team during the third of their four Tests in South Africa in Cape Town, when cameras caught Bancroft attempting to alter the condition of the ball with what was later found to be sandpaper.

“I know they’re role models and they’re paid to be, and they’re well looked after. But a tough time is a tough time. I knew I was going to cop a fair bit of flak after the tweets, but I just can’t sit back and listen to some of the things that are being said about people who, underneath it all, are actually pretty good people in my eyes.”

In the aftermath of the ball-tampering incident, CA announced a cultural review of the team, to be conducted by a panel of former players and active players, chaired by Rick McCosker, the former Test opener.