Disgraced Aussie cricket star Bancroft sparks outrage after Durham name him captain
Ex-captain Steve Smith and batsman David Warner both received 12-month bans for their involvement in ball tampering for Australia while Bancroft was banned for nine months
DURHAM have caused outrage by appointing shamed Aussie Cameron Bancroft as their new captain.
The batsman will take charge of Durham’s county championship and 50-over Royal London Cup teams following the retirement of Paul Collingwood.
Bancroft, 26, is playing cricket again after a nine-month ban for his part in the Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal.
He was caught by TV cameras trying to conceal sandpaper in his pants during a Test match last year against South Africa in Cape Town — and then he lied about his actions at a press conference.
Ex-captain Steve Smith and batsman David Warner both received 12-month bans for their involvement and are preparing to play in the Indian Premier League, which begins on Saturday.
Their likely comeback for Australia is a World Cup warm-up against England on May 25.
Durham believe Bancroft has served his team and that the slate is clean.
CLEAN SLATE?
He has tried to portray himself as an innocent victim, bullied by Warner into scuffing the ball while Smith turned a blind eye.
But, in an Ashes summer, the county’s decision is crass and insensitive and has already prompted a disbelieving reaction from cricket fans on social media.
Sir Ian Botham, Durham’s chairman, is a renowned patriot and Aussie-basher but that has not prevented Bancroft’s elevation.
Durham have a new director of cricket - Marcus North, himself an Aussie - while Kiwi James Franklin is their new coach.
Franklin said: “We’re delighted to have Cameron with us for the season and we’re confident he has the attributes to lead this exciting young Durham dressing-room.
“He has invaluable experience at the top level and has previously enjoyed a successful spell in England with Gloucestershire.
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“He’s proved since returning to first-class cricket that he has the mental toughness, skill and attitude to excel at the highest level and I’m sure he’ll relish the challenge we have at Durham this season.”
Bancroft’s previous leadership experience amounts to a couple of Aussie under-19 matches eight years ago.
He has played eight Test matches - including all five in Australia’s 4-0 hammering of England in 2017-18. He appeared in this winter’s Big Bash once his ban ended and scored 138 not out for Western Australia against New South Wales on his return to first-class cricket last month.
Bancroft will miss Durham’s opening match against Derbyshire on April 5 because he must attend a sports dinner in Australia.
Ex-Yorkshire batsman Alex Lees will captain in his absence.
If Bancroft scores heavily for Durham, he could force his way into Australia’s squad for the Ashes series which will dominate the second-half of the summer.
Meanwhile, Notts have confirmed that Aussie fast bowler James Pattinson will return to Trent Bridge for the 50-over campaign and seven county championship matches.
