Former captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned from international cricket for 12 months and sacked from their leadership positions following the incident. Warner was banned for life from holding an official leadership role and Smith for two years.
Bancroft,who was caught with sandpaper on the field,was suspended for nine months.
In a wide-ranging interview,Bancroft reflects on his path back from suspension and accepts full responsibility for his actions at Cape Town,but it is the comments he makes to journalist Donald McRae about who else was aware of his actions that will shock many.
Bancroft,according to McRae,gave a “long pause” when asked if the bowlers knew what he was doing.
“Yeah,look,all I wanted to do was to be responsible and accountable for my own actions and part,” Bancroft said.
“Yeah,obviously what I did benefits bowlers and the awareness around that,probably,is self-explanatory. I guess one thing I learnt through the journey and being responsible is that’s where the buck stops[with Bancroft himself]. Had I had better awareness I would have made a much better decision.”
Asked again if some of the bowlers knew,“Bancroft’s hesitation is even longer”,McRae wrote.