As a result of a Cricket Australia investigation into a ball tampering incident during the 3rd Test against South Africa in March 2018, Bancroft and two others, captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, were charged by Cricket Australia on 27 March 2018 with bringing the game into disrepute, suspended, and sent home from the tour.

[1] Bancroft made his return to cricket on 30 December 2018, playing for the Perth Scorchers in the 2018–19 Big Bash League season.

In January 2025, Bancroft collided with Daniel Sams going for a catch in the outfield whilst playing in a BBL match for the Sydney Thunder against the Perth Scorchers.

[15] On discovering that footage of the incident had been broadcast, Bancroft put the sandpaper down the front of his trousers, before being spoken to by the on-field umpires.

[16][17] At a later press conference, captain Steve Smith admitted that the plan to tamper with the ball was concocted by the team "leadership group.

[20] Cricket Australia then imposed further sanctions against Bancroft, Smith and David Warner, meaning they would not take part in the fourth Test.

[22] Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland announced that, as a result of the preliminary investigation into the incident, Smith, Warner and Bancroft had been charged with bringing the game into disrepute, suspended and sent home.

Bancroft was found to have carried out those instructions, tried to conceal evidence and misled match officials by denying knowledge of the tampering.

[25] Bancroft made a return to professional cricket on 30 December 2018, playing for the Perth Scorchers in the 2018–19 Big Bash League season.

[28] In February 2019, Bancroft returned to first-class cricket, playing for Western Australia against New South Wales in the 2018–19 Sheffield Shield.