Scandal three are reunited in Ashes squad

Cameron Bancroft has been named in Australia’s Ashes squad, reuniting him with Steve Smith and David Warner for the first time since their involvement in the balltampering scandal.

The opening batsman was instrumental in the plot to cheat against South Africa in March of last year as he applied sandpaper to the ball in Cape Town – an idea Warner came up with and then-captain Smith sanctioned.

All three were handed suspensions – Bancroft nine months and Smith and Warner 12 months – by Cricket Australia and are making their return to the Test arena for the first time.

Smith and Warner’s inclusion in the group for the five-match series against England, which starts at Edgbaston next week, is no surprise given their involvement in the recent World Cup. But Bancroft’s selection is a result of some impressive recent form for Durham and an unbeaten 93 in an intrasquad warm-up game at the Ageas Bowl.

National selector Trevor Hohns said: “David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft have forced their way back through the excellence of their recent performances.”

There are recalls for fast-bowlers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle.

Cameron Bancroft