Ashes 2019 | It’s good motivation to look at the baggy green and keep working hard, says Cameron Bancroft

Having shown impressive form in the domestic circuit, it was no surprise when the 26-year-old was picked for the Australian squad for the Ashes. Bancroft — who captained Durham in the England second division — revealed that he carried his baggy green in the suitcase when he travelled to England for the county season.

"It's something you're obviously very proud of. It's a very prestigious item to have and you take good care of it because it means something to you. It's good motivation isn't it? To look at it and go 'yeah I'm playing cricket but there's something bigger I eventually want to be able to get back to'. I guess it was good motivation to keep working hard … to keep my goals and keep focused," Bancroft was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

After serving a nine-month suspension from international cricket, the opening batsman admits that he is a changed man. Bancroft said he often turned to yoga and realized that cricket is just a sport. He is keen to put the mistake behind him, learn from it and move forward.

"I think being serious about cricket is important, but I think it's also about being able to realise the game is just a game of cricket. One of the big lessons that I learned last year was about being true to yourself. At the end of the day, what you do and your actions is completely up to you. I made a mistake, and I’ll learn from it and move forward and get better," Bancroft said.

But it will not be a bed of roses awaiting him in England. His co-culprits in the incident, Steve Smith and David Warner, have already faced the hostility of the English crowds in the World Cup. However, Bancroft is not overly focused on the almost certain similar treatment he will receive.

“It’s all right, it doesn’t bother me too much. People will react how they want to react. Hopefully, I can use it if people want to be like that, to give (me) energy to perform well. But I can’t control that. I guess the journey that I’ve been through over the last 18 months, you get exposed to things like that. I’ll just deal with it and keep moving forward,” Bancroft added.