Monday 2 April 2018 12:31, UK
Cameron Bancroft will not be joining Somerset as an overseas player this season following his role in the Australia ball-tampering scandal.
The opening batsman was handed a nine-month suspension by Cricket Australia after being caught on camera attempting to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
The 25-year-old had been signed by Somerset in December during Australia's Ashes win over England and was due to play at Taunton for the start of the 2018 County Championship season.
Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, said: "I have spoken numerous times to Cameron since last Saturday, he has spoken very maturely, he shared his deep regret and apologised to everyone associated to the Club.
"It's important we remember there is a young man at the centre of all this, he made a poor choice, as I and I'm sure many of us have done during our lives. What's important now, is Cameron is given the appropriate support. There is no doubt in my mind, he will learn from this and he will return stronger.
"I have met this morning with the CEO, Club Captain and Head Coach and with the Club's best interests at the centre of our decision can confirm Cameron Bancroft will not be our overseas player for the 2018 season.
"We are currently undertaking the process to recruit a replacement overseas player that best fits our needs and will share an update in due course."
Bancroft has apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal and says he "let everyone down in Australia" after Cricket Australia found he used sandpaper to rough up the ball at Newlands, and not sticky tape as he originally stated.
Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner - who both received 12-month bans - are eligible to play in English first-class cricket with their suspensions only covering Australian international and domestic cricket.
