The banned Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft has been finally got the green signal to play Premier Cricket in Western Australia while serving his suspension for ball tampering in South Africa. On Monday, he was granted special dispensation to turn out for his club side Willetton after the 16 WA Premier Cricket clubs held an extraordinary general meeting to vote on Bancroft’s future.
Talking after the meeting, WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said, “I’m pleased to announce the Western Australia District Cricket Council tonight approved Willetton’s application for an exemption to the rule that prevented Cameron from playing Premier Cricket this season. It’s great news for Cameron and I’d like to congratulate the WADCC on their decision.”
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He further added, “It was about a half-hour discussion. I think everybody knew the questions they wanted to ask and were prepared to sit and talk about them and a positive outcome for all.”
Currently, Bancroft is serving the suspension of nine months from state and international cricket for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. The Cricket Australia (CA) ban ends in late December, at which point Bancroft will be free to play for Western Australia, the Perth Scorchers, and Australia again. The opener was retained WA’s contract and can join teammates at pre-season training next month.
However, under WADCC rules, any CA ban automatically extends to WA’s Premier Cricket ranks. Cameron has now been granted an exemption to play for his WA club side Willetton while serving his CA ban.
Speaking about the exemption further, Mathews said, “It was the fact that there have been other players who have had to serve out sanctions when sanctioned by Cricket Australia in other competitions. So it’s just reasonable debate and discussion about why it wouldn’t apply in this circumstance and how the circumstances were different.”
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Fellow banned Australian cricketers David Warner and Steve Smith are free to play with their NSW Premier Cricket sides in Sydney while serving their 12-month CA suspensions.
New Australia coach Justin Langer has already said he’d welcome the return of Bancroft, Smith, and Warner when their CA bans end. Bancroft could yet return to cricket in the Northern Territory’s Strike League in July.
