Bancroft flops on return from ball-tampering ban, scoring just two off three balls in Big Bash

AUSTRALIAN batsman Cameron Bancroft’s return from a ball-tampering ban proved to be short lived after he was dismissed for two runs for the Perth Scorchers in the domestic ‘Big Bash’ Twenty20 competition at Launceston on Sunday.

Bancroft was banned from international, state and Big Bash cricket for nine months for his part in the Cape Town scandal in March, which also led to 12-month bans for former Australia captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner.

The 26-year-old found himself called into action earlier than expected, with the Scorchers struggling on 16 for three in the fourth over against the Hobart Hurricanes.

Australian media reported that parts of the Tasmanian crowd erupted in a chorus of boos when Bancroft was announced as the incoming batsman.

Facing fast bowler Riley Meredith, Bancroft clipped the first ball off his pads for two runs.

He blocked the second delivery, before edging the third to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade as the Scorchers fell to 19-4.

The Hurricanes chased 108 to win by six wickets with 15 balls to spare.

A fourth successive victory extended their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Bancroft will have a chance to earn an Australian Test recall when he resumes as a top-order batsman for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield in February. | Reuters