Clubs vote to allow Bancroft to play

Cameron Bancroft. Photo: Getty Images
Cameron Bancroft. Photo: Getty Images
Aussie ball tamperer Cameron Bancroft has beaten his ban thanks to fellow club cricketers in Western Australia.

There were just two dissenting votes when the 16 WA clubs allowed the opener to play for the Willeton club before his nine month country and state ban expires.

WA cricket chief executive Cristina Matthews said there was a half hour debate by the clubs, because other cricketers banned by the state had also been outed from club cricket, ESPN's CricInfo reported.

"So it's just reasonable debate and discussion about why it wouldn't apply in this circumstance and how the circumstances were different," she said.

Bancroft, Australian captain Steve Smith and opener David Warner received bans - the latter two for 12 months - after the controversy during the tour of South Africa. The Cricket Australia charge sheet did not ban them from club cricket.

But Western Australia club cricket regulations state anyone banned from the Warriors, the state team, is also barred from Perth Premier Cricket.

Matthew said Bancroft was working hard to make amends in a legitimate way.

"Like anybody, he has his ups and downs," she said.

"But overall, I think he is in a pretty good space. He's not far off starting his community service, we have some things lined up for him there and we'll hopefully finalise those this week.

"He's really committed to doing that in a genuine and authentic way, and not just a box-ticking way."

It was also reported that Bancroft might play in an out-of-season T20 tournament in Darwin in July.

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