Cameron Bancroft reveals who suggested using sandpaper

Cameron Bancroft has detailed how David Warner suggested he alter the condition of the match ball as Australia struggled against South Africa earlier this year.

New to the side, Bancroft was broadcast around the world taking sandpaper to the ball in the third Test of the away series – sparking a major crisis in Australian cricket.

Crackdown: Cameron Bancroft hiding the now infamous sandpaper.

Speaking to Adam Gilchrist – in an interview to be aired on Fox Sports during the Boxing Day Test lunch break -Bancroft said he felt pressured into cheating out of a desire to fit into the group.

“Dave [Warner] suggested to me to carry the action out on the ball given the situation we were in in the game and I didn’t know any better,” Bancroft said.

“I didn’t know any better because I just wanted to fit in and feel valued, really — as simple as that.

“The decision was based around my values, what I valued at the time and I valued fitting in … you hope that fitting in earns you respect and with that, I guess, there came a pretty big cost for the mistake.”

Bancroft said he didn't feel he could turn down the suggestion – he did not want to give the impression he wouldn't give his all for the team.

“I would have gone to bed and I would have felt like I had let everybody down. I would have felt like I had let the team down. I would have left like I had hurt our chances to win the game of cricket,” Bancroft said.

Warner has previously apologised for his part in the scandal.

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