Ponting takes aim at Bancroft over interview

CRICKET: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has taken a swipe at Cameron Bancroft, accusing the banned opener of trying to repair his image, amid renewed debate about whether David Warner can be reintegrated into the national side.

Bancroft revisited the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal in an interview broadcast during Boxing Day coverage of the third Test between Australia and India, suggesting he “didn’t know any better” when asked by Warner to interfere with the ball at Newlands.

Bancroft’s nine-month ban expires on Saturday while Warner, who is yet to speak in depth about the events in Cape Town, and former captain Steve Smith have another three months to serve.

All three are likely to be in Australia’s plans for next year’s Ashes but it remains to be seen if bridges have been burned, with former opener Michael Slater suggesting the relationship between Warner and Bancroft is untenable.

Ponting said he was stunned by the timing of Bancroft’s interview, which threatened to overshadow the biggest day on Australia’s cricketing calendar.

“I was disappointed with a few things and I don’t think he had to say some of the things he had to say,” Ponting said.

“Even the way he presented himself in that interview ... he’s trying to rebuild his brand and that sort of thing, and I think some of the things he’s had to say have actually done more damage to his brand than what had happened before.”