Bancroft backtracks on ‘bowlers’ involvement’ remark in the Sandpaper gate

Cameron Bancroft, who put fresh fuel to an almost dead fire of the Sandpaper gate saga of Australian cricket by saying that bowlers’ involvement and prior knowledge of what was happening on the ground is self-explanatory, has now backtracked on his claims. The 28-year-old said that he is satisfied with the investigation carried out by Cricket Australia into the 2018 issue. 

Sydney Morning Herald quoted sources to report that Bancroft called into the Cricket Australia’s integrity committee and explained that he has no substantial or additional proof and that what he said was actually a case of confusion due to the barrage of questions hurled towards him. The Western Australia cricket is further supposed to have contacted the bowers and made a truce with them over the inflammatory allegations.  

In the interview that Bancroft gave to UK’s Guardian, speaking about the Newlands incident he had said, “Yeah, look, all I wanted to do was to be responsible and accountable for my own actions and part.” 

On being asked about the bowlers’ involvement in the infamous incident, Bancroft, who is currently playing county cricket in England, said, “Yeah, obviously what I did benefits bowlers and the awareness around that, probably, is self-explanatory.” “I guess one thing I learnt through the journey and being responsible is that’s where the buck stops [with Bancroft himself]. Had I had better awareness I would have made a much better decision,” added Bancroft who has played 10 Tests and solitary T20 for Australia.  

His statements totally contradicted Cricket Australia’s findings which said, “prior knowledge of the incident was confined to three players, Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft."