NEW DELHI: Disgraced Australian cricketer
Cameron Bancroft asked for forgiveness following the
ball tampering
row that led to a nine-month ban from international cricket for the 25-year-old. After arriving in Australia, the opening batsman addressed the media at the WACA, Perth and added that he feels like he has let everyone down in Australia.
ALSO READ: Warner apologises, 'takes responsibility' for part in scandalBancroft, who was caught on camera using a sticky tape to alter the condition of the ball during the Cape Town Test, said, “I want to say that I'm very sorry ... I'm very disappointed and I regret my actions ... It is something I will regret for the rest of my life.”
Bancroft admitted that he lied to the umpires about the sandpaper. “I lied. I lied about the sandpaper. I panicked in that situation and I'm very sorry ... I feel like I've let everyone down in Australia.”
ALSO READ: Ball-tampering scandal: Key takeaways from Cricket Australia's sanctionsHe went on to add, “The thing that breaks my heart the most is that I've given up my spot in the team for free. People know I worked so hard to get to this point in my career and to have given up that chance for free is devastating.”
After Bancroft finished taking questions, WACA CEO Christina Matthews confirmed that under current WACA rules he is not permitted to play grade cricket in the state due to his suspension but a rule change is under consideration.
On Wednesday, captain Steve Smith and David Warner were banned by Cricket Australia (CA) for 12 months each for their involvement in the controversy that erupted last Saturday during the Cape Town Test match.
Earlier today, Warner, the chief conspirator of the ball tampering row, apologised to fans and said he took responsibility for his part in a ball-tampering scandal that has shocked the cricketing world.
"Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket," he said on Instagram in breaking his silence on the incident in the third Test against South Africa last weekend.