The light at the end of the tunnel is drawing ever closer for Cameron Bancroft but debate continues to rage about his culpability on a dark day in Cape Town.
Bancroft's nine-month suspension for his role in the ball-tampering scandal elapses on December 29.
He is set to return to top-level cricket the following day in the BBL when Perth Scorchers face Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston.
Bancroft's reintegration into the Australian setup took a further step on Wednesday when he spoke with national skipper Tim Paine while the Test squad trained at the WACA Ground.
WACA chief Christina Matthews on Sunday said Bancroft had completed "at least double" his required 100 hours of community service, working with young cancer patients and spending time at disadvantaged schools.
Matthews has worked closely with Bancroft and expects the opener to bounce back but she remains disappointed by the position the 25-year-old was put in by former captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner.
"I think he was naive and desperate to belong and so he was caught in a position of 'what do I do?'," Matthews told SEN radio.
"And I think that's the real indictment. When your captain kind of knows what's going on and doesn't stop it and your vice-captain's involved, you go 'where do I go'?
"His responsibility was to say no but for whatever reason he felt that he couldn't. He's done everything he can since to take responsibility and make the most of it.
"I think he's learnt a lot about himself and what he stands for.
"He'll forever have to live with it no matter how good his career is or how bad his career is. But there's no doubt he'll bounce back."
Bancroft has captained his club cricket team, taken up yoga and learnt how to speak Spanish during his suspension.
Matthews said Bancroft had learned plenty from the experience and had no doubt he could handle returning to the spotlight.
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