A buoyant Cameron Bancroft believes he is now in a positive frame of mind after grappling with the tumultuous ball-tampering scandal.
The 25-year-old played his first cricket match on West Australian soil on Saturday since receiving a nine-month suspension from international and state cricket for his role in the Cape Town sandpaper saga.
Settled: Cameron Bancroft, seen here playing in the NT Strike League earlier this year, made a low-key appearance on Saturday.Credit:AAP
Captaining his local club Willetton, Bancroft made just a 13-ball four in his team's crushing nine-wicket one-day victory over Midland-Guildford
But he starred in the field with three sharp catches in the slips, the highlight being a spectacular diving snare to his left.
Unlike banned former leaders Steve Smith and David Warner, Bancroft has kept a low profile and stayed mostly away from cricket since being suspended.
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Last month, the former Test opener was in Melbourne completing a yoga teaching training course.
"Learning to detach myself from this guy that was a professional cricketer … it's who I thought I was as a person," Bancroft told reporters.
"The more I have been able to let that go and understand who I am certainly breaks the anxiety that you put yourself under as a professional sportsman.
"Dealing with those challenges has been difficult, but part of the journey."
Bancroft had to receive an exemption from the West Australian District Cricket Council to be allowed to play in the WA Premier Cricket League while serving his ban. As captain, he has enjoyed mentoring his Willetton teammates.
"It's an opportunity for me to give back. I had a lot of fun out there," he said.
It will be bittersweet for Bancroft when Australia returns to Test cricket against Pakistan in the UAE, but he is taking the development in his stride.
Bancroft has largely kept a low profile since the ball-tampering scandal.Credit:Kate Hedley
"There have been times I haven't played cricket and sat there and wondered how I got here," he said.
"I can't be there right now but it's a great opportunity for those players."
Bancroft's ban ends on December 29 but he will be back in action for Willetton on Sunday in a 50-over match against Fremantle.
AAP
