Sydney: Former Australian skipper Steve Smith has backed Durham management's decision to appoint Cameron Bancroft their skipper. Bancroft's appointment has raised many eyebrows due to his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal last year that saw him getting ban from international and domestic cricket for nine months by Cricket Australia.
Other than Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner were also banned by CA for one year for their involvement in sandpaper gate incident. However, the troubled Aussie duo has completed their ban and are currently playing in the ongoing season of Indian Premier League.
CA has also banned Smith from holding the leadership position for one year after his ban expires and Warner from ever holding captaincy. However, Bancroft was not barred from holding captaincy.
Bancroft was appointed Durham coach last month and the team management has said that he was “the best available option.” Bancroft's appointment was heavily criticized from some quarters, former English cricketer Darren Gough even went on to call the decision “disgraceful”.
However, Smith has come in support of Bancroft saying that he had shown “great character” in the way he handled his ban and return to cricket.
“Cam is a good choice for captain,” Smith said, before adding, “He’s got a good head on his shoulders and has shown great character in the way he has come back after his time out.
“It has been a tough time for him no doubt, but he’s a good guy who will do his best for Durham and will lead them well," Smith said. “He gets the game pretty well and has a good understanding of strategy and players,” he added.
