Ex-Australia coach Justin Langer senses Cameron Bancroft’s disappointment after being excluded from the Test squad for the West Indies series. Langer contends that Bancroft has fulfilled all the requirements to be part of the Australian Test team.
Cricket Australia announced a 13-member Test squad for the West Indies series starting on January 17 at the Adelaide Oval. Despite Cameron Bancroft’s strong domestic performance, selectors opted for the inclusion of Matt Renshaw, indicating a probable opening role for Steve Smith.
Langer, in his column for The West Australian, expressed bewilderment at Bancroft’s exclusion.
“The non-selection of Cameron Bancroft for this next test match against the West Indies is disappointing. He will be gutted. The mantra for all selectors is to tell aspiring players to score runs, take wickets, knock down the door. Be so good we can’t ignore you. Bancroft was given this message. All players are. He has taken the advice,” he wrote.
The 31-year-old, a key figure in the 2018 ball-tampering incident, has been one of the leading run-scorers in the past two Sheffield Shield seasons. Bancroft has accumulated 9,449 runs at an average of 39.04 in 146 first-class matches.
“Performance isn’t the concern”- Justin Langer
Langer added that Bancroft has addressed and improved upon all his previous weaknesses. He added: “Critics might point to his weaknesses of days gone by. Every player who is any good, gets dropped, looks for feedback, and then goes away and gets better. Bancroft has ticked this box as well.”
“Form can’t be the issue. Timing isn’t either. David Warner has just retired. Cameron Bancroft will feel disappointed, as will Marcus Harris who has been next in line for some time. Matthew Renshaw will be understandably delighted.”
While Smith has excelled as one of the finest Test batsmen of his generation, his performance as an opener is yet to be observed.
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