Bowlers Have Contacted Cameron Bancroft And Sorted It Out: Tim Paine

Australian Test captain Tim Paine has revealed that the bowling unit that took part in the infamous Newlands Test have got in touch with discarded opener Cameron Bancroft and have ‘cleared the air’ over suggestions that they knew about the ball-tampering scandal.

Last week, Cameron Bancroft, one of the three perpetrators in the ball-tampering scandal in March 2018, created a storm when he suggested during an interview with the UK-based Guardian that the Australian bowlers knew about the plan.

The Aussie bowlers- Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon- have always maintained that they knew nothing about the plot and following the revelations by Bancroft, the quartet released a joint statement on Wednesday to once again absolve themselves.

Speaking to the reports in Hobart, Tim Paine said that while the bowling group is frustrated that they keep getting dragged in the issue, he added that they have got in touch with Bancroft to sort out the matter.

“I think they’re frustrated that it keeps popping up but I think that’s part and parcel for everyone who played in that test match,” Tim Paine told reporters in Hobart.

“Their mood was fine, I think they’ve spoken to (Bancroft), cleared the air there and I think everyone’s looking forward to moving on,” he added.

“We’re all grown men and those guys have made contact with each other and sorted it out.” Tim Paine said.

Following Cameron Bancroft’s revelations, Cricket Australia Integrity Team had reached out to the opener to seek further information on the matter.

However, Bancroft said that he has nothing more to reveal and that he supports the investigation that CA had carried out in the wake of the scandal.

Tim Paine was asked if recent comments will jeopardize Cameron Bancroft’s chances of making it to the national team in the future.

To which the Test captain responded in the negative, stating that players are not picked on the basis of what they say in the media.

”We don’t pick Test teams on what they say in the media. We pick Test teams on how many runs they’re scoring … and that certainly won’t be held against him,” said Tim Paine.

Also Read: Australia Bowlers Respond To The Allegations Following Cricket Australia’s Investigations Based On Cameron Bancroft’s Statement