Captaining his local club Willetton on Saturday, Bancroft fell for four in his team's small run chase against Midland-Guildford in the 50-over match at Burrendah Park.

The 25-year-old was Willetton's only wicket to fall in their easy chase of 87 in the WA Premier Cricket League season opener.

Bancroft looked rusty before opening his account with a cracking cover drive to the boundary in the fourth over. But he fell shortly after, caught behind off Corry Verco in his 13th delivery faced.

He looked unhappy with the decision before trudging off the ground.

It soured what had been a good day in the field for Bancroft.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Bancroft was in the play immediately with a low catch at second slip as Midland-Guilford lost their first wicket. He finished with three sharp catches, the best being an outstretched dive to his left off seamer Aaron McCall.

Even though he failed with the bat, Bancroft said he relished the extra responsibility of captaincy.

"I've wanted to give my heart to every player here and hopefully help them improve," he told reporters.

"I want to help the players grow and let my experiences be an important message for them."

It was a low-key return for Bancroft who is serving a nine-month suspension from international and state cricket for his role in the ball-tampering incident against South Africa during Australia's third Test defeat in Cape Town in March.

Only a handful of spectators were at the ground in a notable contrast to the fanfare that greeted the recent grade cricket comebacks of former Australian leaders Steve Smith and David Warner in Sydney.

That pair also struggled on Saturday, failing for their respective club sides.

Smith was out for nine against Manly-Warringah, who rolled through the Sutherland line-up for just 131 in response to their 348 at Glenn McGrath Oval.

Batting for a second time Smith fared a little better, finishing not out on 15 as the visitors won on first innings.

After taking a wicket in the UNSW first innings, Warner couldn't back it up with the bat as he was dismissed for two in Randwick-Petersham's drawn match at Coogee Oval.

Meanwhile an upbeat Bancroft said he was now in a positive space after the tumultuous sandpaper saga.

"To be here now is another part of the journey and I'm here to embrace it," he said.

"I've been challenged a lot and to be able to detach myself from cricket has been one of the biggest lessons I've had to learn."

Bancroft will be back in action when Willetton play Fremantle on Sunday.

Australian Associated Press