Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has questioned the timing of batsman Cameron Bancroft’s recent remarks about teammate David Warner.

Bancroft, Warner and ex-captain Steven Smith are currently serving bans for their involvement in the ball-tampering saga that marred Australia’s Test series against South Africa.

Bancroft has claimed Warner encouraged him to tamper with the ball during the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town. His comments came during the ongoing Boxing Day Test match between the Australians and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

‘I was a bit shocked at some of the things I read. I was very disappointed with the timing of it – 26 December is the best day on the Australian cricket calendar and we’re reading and listening to all this stuff again, nine months later,’ Ponting told Channel 7.

‘I was disappointed with a few things. I just don’t think he needed to say some of the things he had to say, to be honest. Even the way he presented himself in that interview, I was disappointed with. He is trying to rebuild his brand and that sort of thing. Some of the things he’s had to say have actually done more damage to his brand than what had happened before.’

Bancroft’s suspension will end before the end of the year, while Warner and Smith will be eligible for selection before the 2019 World Cup.

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