'Want to create a strong impact through my mistakes' - Bancroft looks to move past Newlands

Bancroft, who was caught using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa in March 2018, served his suspension until December. He is now set to lead Durham in the County Championship this season.

Speaking about the suspension, the 26-year-old told the Daily Telegraph, "As much as I missed cricket, the opportunity it gave me to look at myself was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I had to go home. Sit with myself, grieve, forgive myself, and then ultimately move forward.

"Turning that event from South Africa into a positive was something I was really proud of, and to have that opportunity to grow as a person, you'd be silly not to take those steps forward."

The incident last year had huge ramifications on Australian cricket. Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were forced to step down from their leadership roles and were handed 12-month bans. Bancroft confessed they made a huge mistake, but added that the trio has stuck together to emerge stronger.

Now, Bancroft is focused on playing for Australia again, and with the Ashes around the corner, he has the perfect opportunity to make his case for selection. "Tampering with a cricket ball is wrong. Not in the spirit of the game. It was really shocking and disappointing. But it's in the past now and I want to move forward," he said.

"I want to play for Australia again, 100 per cent. That would be fantastic, wouldn't it? Because all three of us have been there for each other. We've ridden the waves of the last 12 months, we've all grown and look forward to seeing how that allows us to help others, and have a strong impact through our mistakes. I know all three of us feel that way. That would be really exciting. That's the place we want to be."

The Western Australia batsman, who has played eight Tests so far and scored 402 runs at an average of 30.92, is ready for any hostile reception he might receive from English fans ahead of Durham's opening game against Sussex on Thursday.

"I can’t change how people are going to react and how people are going to feel, that’s completely up to them. I respect that," he said ahead of his Durham debut. "As long as I’m just really enjoying and focused on what I can control, that’s all that matters."

When asked if he had a message for the Durham fans, Bancroft kept it simple: "I’m Cameron, I play cricket, I made a really poor mistake last year and I’m very sorry for that. I look forward to saying ‘G’day’, shaking your hand and signing all your stuff."