Cameron Bancroft's message to Test selectors in search for David Warner's replacement
The West Australian has racked up 370 runs from his opening three Shield games as he pushes for the vacant Test spot.
Cameron Bancroft continues to make a strong push for Australian Test selection with stellar performances in the Sheffield Shield. The Aussie shone for Western Australia in the Shield last year and has picked up where he left off through the opening three rounds this summer, racking up 370 runs with two hundreds at an average of 92.
David Warner has announced his intention to retire from Test cricket after three matches against Pakistan this home summer and the West Australian has put himself in pole position to fill the void. Bancroft amassed a staggering 945 runs in last summer's Sheffield Shield, which consisted of four hundreds and some 293 more runs than anyone else.
'NOT RIGHT': Controversy erupts over rarely-seen Aussie dismissal
SAVAGE: Pat Cummins' epic reaction to England woes at World Cup
Bancroft says although he is aware a spot is up for grabs his focus is on performing for Western Australia and sees a Test call-up as a byproduct of top performances. “It’s been nice to get some runs. To be honest, I have just been trying to set a really good platform for us,” he said.
"We have a lot to play for this year, we want to continue that winning success, that’s been where my focus is. I just try to go out with an open mind, play according to the conditions and come what may.”
Bancroft's 10-Test career has suffered two monumental setbacks. The first was a suspension on the back of being part of taking a piece of sandpaper to the ball in an infamous moment in South Africa in 2018. He then was recalled during the Ashes in 2019 but faltered scoring just 44 runs in four innings.
Earlier this month, the West Australian opener said he believes he has 'paid his dues' for his stuff-ups and would be honoured with the opportunity to pull on the baggy green again. "I think I've paid my dues," Bancroft said. "Like all of us, we've all made mistakes ... that was a long time ago now I've moved on from that. I'm a proud Aussie and I'd be honoured to represent my country again at some stage."
Bancroft doing all he can to warrant a call-up says Adam Voges
Bancroft's Shield coach Adam Voges believes the opener couldn't do anything more than what he is already doing to deserve that coveted opener spot. “He’s doing all he possibly can do,” Voges said after a second-innings century from Bancroft in Adelaide last weekend.
“He was outstanding all of last season, he has started this season like he finished last year. He is the premier form batsman of the competition. His consistency and the way he has gone about his run-scoring has been incredible.”
Bancroft's chief competition for a spot in the Test team is Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw, who returned to the Test team in the middle-order for a single innings and was on standby in England. Renshaw has impressed so far this Shield season for the Bulls, with 271 runs, which includes a century. While Harris has struggled so far, making just 21 runs.
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
