Cameron Bancroft accepts he is powerless to change people’s perceptions of him but feels “living in the past is unhealthy for anybody” ahead of his county cricket bow for Durham.
Bancroft’s promising Test career was put on hold in March last year when he was given a nine-month suspension by Cricket Australia for attempting to manipulate the ball with sandpaper during a Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
The ramifications have been widespread, with Australia captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner handed year-long bans for their roles in the notorious ball-tampering scandal.
Bancroft is therefore braced for any hostile receptions he may face around county grounds in England this summer but is sanguine about the prospect.
Speaking ahead of his Durham debut against Sussex on Thursday, Bancroft said: “I can’t change how people are going to react and how people are going to feel, that’s completely up to them.
“I respect that. As long as I’m just really enjoying and focused on what I can control, that’s all that matters.
“At some point you’ve got to move forward. That’s not saying you don’t honour and respect what’s happened in the past.
“But at some point you need to be able to take steps to move forward. Living in the past is unhealthy for anybody.”
There have been accusations in some quarters of the controversy being unresolved and that there are questions that still need answering despite a Cricket Australia investigation.
Bancroft, though, made it clear that while he has erred in the past, he is eager to look forward ahead of a county season in which he will captain Durham in the championship and the Royal London One-Day Cup.
He added: “We all make mistakes and I guess it’s how you’re able to grow as a person, in admitting and being honest with yourself about those mistakes.
“I certainly have been and as a person that’s something that I’m completely accountable for and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’ve had moments where I’ve been really flat and really down, you’re a in a grieving process.
“But once you take steps forward to achieving little milestones along the way, you start to come out the other end and that changes another day.
“That’s life: we’re down in the dumps at some points and then we’ve got to re-surge and find a way, and that just happens over and over again. I feel far more relaxed with things now.”
Asked whether he had a message for Durham’s fans, he added: “I’m Cameron, I play cricket, I made a really poor mistake last year and I’m very sorry for that. I look forward to saying ‘G’day’, shaking your hand and signing all your stuff.”
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
You 100% sure about that DungerBob.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yes he is going to cop it. That's reality. So is Smith and Warner. The only and I mean only way to silence and deal with the Barmy Army is not to try and philosophise their situation but to score runs. Plenty of runs.
Paul
Roar Guru
Bob, I think Bancroft would have the best psychs in Australia scratching their heads with some of the stuff coming out his mouth. It's clearly "all about him", isn't it? I seriously wonder if he's learnt anything from THAT incident and the subsequent fallout. It certainly doesn't seem that way.
Cranky of Croydon
Roar Rookie
Dobbie just needs to get Dave to give him a sock........the he will be free!
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Firstly it's a joke Paul, remember them? Secondly I'm certain he will cop a lot worse than that.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
I see. That makes sense then. If that's what happened then I've got to say the Durham fans have got nothing to complain about with Cam being given the captaincy gig.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but Marcus North, ex WA and Australian batsman, just happens to be the Durham director of cricket and he said Bancroft was really the only choice. The Durham board backed him up - apparently a couple of other players were asked but declined the role, so Bancroft scored it.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Paul, that statement of his about signing stuff doesn't strike you as a bit egocentric I take it.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it all seems pretty much resolved to me. Done to death in fact.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
That's all very true Paul. The boys at my local would quickly let him know exactly how it is :) .. One thing that mystifies me is why he's captaining Durham. He hasn't got any experience in the role that I know of. Any clues there?
Paul
Roar Guru
occasionally the boys at the pub get it right though Bob and the advice doesn't cost nearly as much as these sports psychs, not counting the hangovers.
Paul
Roar Guru
your monika fits after a comment like that.
Paul
Roar Guru
"There have been accusations in some quarters of the controversy being unresolved and that there are questions that still need answering despite a Cricket Australia investigation" Who writes this stuff? What has been unresolved and what questions still need answering? Bancroft has taken on a tough role, being captain of a County side as well as trying to manage any fallout from THAT incident. He simply needs to score runs and lead his team to wins. It's very hard to be critical of someone who's successful, but the winning & being successful bits will take a lot of work on his part. I hope he succeeds, both for his sake and for Australian cricket.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Guess who's been talking to the sports psychologist/spin doctor? Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's better than getting your advice from the boys down at the pub I suppose.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
" I look forward to saying G'day shaking your hand and signing all your stuff" "Well hi Cameron, I'd love to get your autograph, I haven't got any paper on me but I've just been to Bunning's could you sign the back of this 180 grit"
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Sensible comment. Looking forward to his county stint. Hopefully is going to see that "test calibre " Bancroft. Him along with Renshaw, Patterson, Head , Handscomb does make a formidable middle order Aussies have been lacking being overtly reliant on Smith.