'Looks terrible': Aussie great calls for Test opener's axing

Former Australia Test fast bowler Geoff Lawson says under-fire batsman Cameron Bancroft “looks terrible" and should be dropped.

The right-handed opener again struggled in the dramatic second Test draw at Lord’s

Bancroft was given the nod to return from his ball-tampering ban to open the batting alongside David Warner for the Aussies.

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However, after the first two Tests against England, the West Australian has struggled with the bat and is yet to make a half century against the hosts.

In fact, the 26-year-old is averaging a paltry 11, with obvious questions raised about not only his form but also his technique.

Retired fast bowler Geoff Lawson says four innings should be enough for selectors to see that Bancroft is "technically a mess".

Having posted meagre tallies of eight and seven runs at Edgbaston, followed by 13 and 16 at Lord's, Lawson says thinks Bancroft's time at the top of Australia's batting order is up.

“Bancroft’s not just failing, he’s technically a mess. There’s a reason why he’s failing.

“Warner’s getting some good balls early on, which opening the batting you’re going to get.

“But Bancroft looks terrible. He’s playing across the line (and has) a stiff front leg.”

Marcus Harris was unlucky to be overlooked at the top of the order before the first Test, with selectors perhaps leaning towards the right-left combination that Harris and Warner offers them instead.

However, Lawson says whatever advantage that offers Australia is negated by the fact Bancroft doesn't look comfortable.

“I thought they went for Bancroft for a right-left opening combination. It’s a nice little five per cent add-on you’ve got. But now I’d be going for Harris because Bancroft looks terrible.”

Aussie selectors facing several conundrums

Bancroft's opener partner Warner isn't faring any better - the left-hander averaging less than five after the first two Tests.

The former vice captain does have the advantage of experience over Bancroft and averages 47 in a Test career that's wielded 6381 runs.

While both openers will undoubtedly be feeling the pressure to perform, team consultant and Test great Steve Waugh has suggested selectors may give them more time.

“Sometimes you are going to miss out. If you pick a guy, you back him for the long term,” Waugh said.

“Bancroft stayed in there for quite a while, did a good job for the team.”

One Aussie whose place in the third Test is in doubt for different reasons is Steve Smith, after the concussion scare he suffered from a Jofra Archer short ball at Lord's.

Smith remains an immense doubt for the third Test, which starts in Leeds on Thursday, but hasn't given up hope of taking part yet.

Retaining the 30-year-old in the XI would be a huge boost to Australia's hope of enhancing their 1-0 series lead and retaining the urn with victory at Headingley.

Smith has scored 378 runs at 126 this series, while the other members of Australia's first-choice top six have combined for 406 runs.

Aussie selectors also have a big decision to make around their pace attack, with Mitchell Starc yet to feature this series and James Pattinson rested for the second Test after starring in the first.

Hosts heading into third Test unchanged

England named an unchanged squad on Monday morning, with Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran joining the XI that featured at Lord's.

Record wicket-taker James Anderson is said to be "making progress" from his calf injury and will play in Lancashire's second team game against Leicestershire in Liverpool over the next three days with a view to being available for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

While Ed Smith's selection panel has resisted the temptation to freshen up the batting with new faces switching the order remains a possibility.

In the top seven only Rory Burns is indisputably in the correct position, with debates to be had over the best use of the remaining personnel.

Stokes, for example, made a brilliant 115 not out in the second innings at Lord's and looks ripe for a promotion.

"It just depends on what happens in the game," he said.

"I went to six because my bowling workloads have gone up in the last few years. I'm sure it will change.

"We're a very versatile batting line-up, some days it might be Jonny Bairstow at five, some days Jos Buttler, some days me. We're all capable, it just depends on workloads."

With agencies