Australia vs India: Ricky Ponting disappointed with Cameron Bancroft's interview airing during the series

The ball-tampering saga occurred during the third Test in Cape Town, South Africa earlier this March shook the entire cricketing world. Where Cameron Bancroft was caught by television camera’s trying to rough up one side of the ball with a sandpaper to make it reverse swing. Captain Steven Smith and vice-captain David Warner were also found to be involved and all three received unprecedented sanctions from Cricket Australia.

Although it was confirmed that the team coach had no involvement, Darren Lehmann announced that he would step down from his role following the scandal. Smith was replaced as Test captain by Tim Paine. The former Australian captain Ricky Ponting made his disappointment clear as Bancroft’s interview was aired during the Australia-India series.

Ponting said that he understands the interview was aired during the Test so as to get maximum viewership. But putting it out during a crucial Test might not sit well with the current players as it takes the focus away from the action.

Bancroft opens up about the incident

Bancroft revealed that it was former Australian vice-captain David Warner, who had suggested the idea to tamper with the ball and he was just trying to be valued by the team. However, he apologized to everyone as it was his responsibility to make the choice and he chose the wrong one.

The suspended Test batsman in an exclusive interview with Adam Gilchrist for Fox Cricket mentioned that David Warner asked him to tamper with the ball in Cape Town. He carried out the order with sandpaper and received a nine-month ban which he is now days away from serving in full.

Bancroft admitted his own distorted values played a key role, saying: “Dave (Warner) suggested to me to carry the action out on the ball gave the situation we were in the game and I didn’t know any better.”

This interview brought limelight to the ball tampering incident after it was aired during the India-Australia third Test in Melbourne. And this move has been criticised by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. He (Ponting) ended up saying, “I’m not sure how happy the players would be about it or Cricket Australia, because it’s a pretty special moment in Australian cricket on a day like today. So, we’ll see what the reaction is,” as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Australia vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.