Cameron Bancroft keeps Steve Smith on notice after Sheffield Shield feat

Former Australian opener Cameron Bancroft has once again sent the Aussie selectors a timely reminder after recording another Sheffield Shield century alongside Cameron Green. Many Aussie fans were left stunned ahead of the West Indies series earlier in the summer when Steve Smith put his hand up to open in the place of David Warner - following his retirement from Test cricket - for the national side.

Selectors opted to move Smith up from the No.4 position, an unfamiliar role for one of Australia's greatest ever batters - in order to allow Green a position back in the batting line-up after being dropped during the Ashes. This meant the likes of Bancroft and Marcus Harris were left in limbo.

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The move left fans perplexed after Bancroft had done everything at Sheffield Shield level to demand a position as opener. At the time, Bancroft had notched two centuries and was averaging over 50 in the domestic season.

And on Monday, Bancroft collected his third century for Western Australia and finished the match averaging 57.66 after 13 innings in the Sheffield Shield. Across the last 18 months, Bancroft has hit triple figures on seven occasions with the next highest batter only scoring four.

Green joined in on the fun having scored 103 not out against Tasmania at Blundstone Arena in a swashbuckling innings. Despite Green performing across the summer for his state, the allrounder still struggled with the bat for Australia having failed to pass 50 since March 2023, following a century in India.

He scored 42 for Australia against the West Indies in Brisbane in the second innings, but only managed 14 and eight in his other two opportunities back in the Test side. Calls could grow for Bancroft to return back into the Test side, which would see Smith shift back down the order, if Green struggles against New Zealand in the upcoming series.

Fans were left disappointed once again the Sheffield Shield's leading run scorer was not even in the squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand with Matt Renshaw selected to provide batting cover. Despite the calls, Green has received the backing of coach Andrew McDonald and appears he will receive time to showcase his skills in the baggy green.

Smith's 91 not out against the West Indies in Brisbane silenced some of his critics having made the move up the order. However, fans are continually questioning whether Bancroft will ever get the chance in the baggy green again with the Aussie team appearing rather set for the time being.

Will Pucovski and Scott Boland shine

Bancroft wasn't the only fringe national player that shone in the Sheffield Shield over the weekend. Fan favourite Scott Boland ripped through the New South Wales batting line-up. Victoria saw Will Pucovski, Nic Maddinson and Peter Handscomb all post triple figures with the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch appearing to favour the batters.

However, Boland made sure there was no New South Wales fightback having ripped through the batting order taking 5-41 in their second innings. Unfortunately for Victoria, rain stopped play before they could wrap up the final two wickets.

Boland didn't manage to get a game for Australia this summer with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins all remaining fit. However, Boland is waiting for an opportunity to get another crack in the baggy green and it could come in the upcoming series against New Zealand.

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