Durham have confirmed that Cameron Bancroft will return to the county for the 2020 domestic season. A number of people questioned Durham’s original decision to sign wicketkeeper-batsman Bancroft after he served a nine-month ban for his involvement in the Australian ball-tampering scandal, but he went on to prove his doubters wrong.
Bancroft represented Durham in the Specsavers County Championship and the Royal London One-Day Cup during the 2019 season, scoring 726 runs at an average of 45.37 in the four-day game, as well as a further 377 at 94.25 in the 50-over format. The 26-year-old also captained Durham in both competitions and his form earned him a call-up to the Australia squad for the opening two Tests of this summer’s Ashes series.
Bancroft failed to replicate his county form on the international stage, scoring a total of 44 runs from his four innings and he was replaced after the second Test at Lord’s by Marcus Harris. That has not deterred Durham from re-signing Bancroft however, and he will spend the entire 2020 season at the Emirates Riverside and will be available for all three formats of the game.
Durham’s director of cricket Marcus North is delighted to have Bancroft on board for the new season, as he has been a positive influence both on and off the field.
“We are delighted to welcome Cameron back to Emirates Riverside for our 2020 season,” he said. “He has had a huge impact on the field with his leadership and undoubted quality through his performances. “Cameron has also had an impact off the field as an ambassador for the club with a number of community projects.”
