Former Test opener Cameron Bancroft has sent a timely message to national selectors ahead of the Ashes series in England, peeling off another century in the Sheffield Shield on Thursday afternoon.
The 30-year-old, who last represented Australia in 2019, brought up his 23rd first-class ton against Tasmania at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena to put Western Australia in a commanding position on day three.
It was his fourth Sheffield Shield Shield century of the season – nobody else has managed more than two this summer.
Bancroft combined with batting prodigy Teague Wyllie for a 147-run partnership for the second wicket, with the teenager departing for 80 in the afternoon session.
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Bancroft is the leading run-scorer in this season’s Sheffield Shield with 672 runs at 56.00 in eight matches. He’s also the only cricketer that has faced more than 1500 deliveries in the first-class competition this summer, highlighting his longevity at the crease.
The right-hander has represented Australia in 10 Tests since his debut during the 2017/18 Ashes series, scoring 446 runs at 26.23 including three fifties. His most recent call-up came during the 2019/20 home Test series against Pakistan.
David Warner’s Test future is under a cloud following his premature exit from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, potentially creating a vacancy at the top of the order ahead of the Ashes.
Fans will be divided on whether Bancroft deserves another opportunity at Test level, but national selectors would find it difficult to ignore the West Australian if he maintains this run of form.
“Of course, I‘d love to play for Australia again, that’s a burning desire inside of me,” Bancroft told reporters last year.
“All I can do is bat well and put myself in a position to be able to make runs and be consistent and learn and ride the waves of cricket as it comes.
“But yeah, it‘s definitely in me and I guess all I can do is just play good cricket.
“It‘s just nature that you evolve with the times and your game improves.
“No doubt, the person I was, the player I was in 2019 is very different to what I was today, that happens for every player, so we‘ll just keep riding the waves, enjoying cricket, keep batting well and we’ll see.”
Elsewhere in the Sheffield Shield, New South Wales Blues paceman Sean Abbott claimed his sixth five-wicket haul at first-class level to help the Blues secure a narrow first-innings lead over Queensland at the Gabba.
Abbott, who was named in Australia’s ODI squad on Thursday, finished with 5-76 from 25.1 overs as Queensland were bowled out for 304 in response to New South Wales’ 320.
After the Bulls crumbled to 7-134, Queensland captain Jimmy Pierson scored a classy 115, his sixth first-class century, to rescue the hosts and frustrate the Blues bowlers.
Abbott, who earned his maiden Test squad call-up in 2020, is yet to receive a coveted baggy green, but will be fighting for a plane ticket to England later this year. However, the likes of Scott Boland and Lance Morris have edged ahead of the 30-year-old in the pecking order.