Retired Australian opener David Warner has identified a technical flaw in the batting of former Test teammate Cameron Bancroft, suggesting the West Australian would struggle against India’s pace attack this summer.
Bancroft, one of most prolific batters in the Sheffield Shield over the past 24 months, was touted as a leading candidate to replace injured all-rounder Cameron Green in the Test side for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy,
However, the 31-year-old has failed to press his case for a national recall over the past few weeks, registering scores of 0, 0, 8, 2, 0 and 16 in the Sheffield Shield and Australia A series.
Speaking on Fox Cricket commentary, Warner suggested that Bancroft was vulnerable against fast bowling due to his planted front foot, which points towards the off side when driving and defending.
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“There’s no air speed at the moment in Shield cricket, and you’re playing at venues that don’t bounce,” Warner explained.
“With Cameron Bancroft, his foot’s still out to point. If someone was bowling 145km/h, he’s still going to make the same mistake.
“In my eyes, it’s about his front foot being pointed out to point. When there’s faster air speed, when the bowlers are bowling faster, he’s going to get rolled through, LBW or he’ll get caught in the slips cordon.
“He had that trouble when he was playing for Australia.”
When asked who should open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja this summer, Warner threw his support behind South Australian captain Nathan McSweeney.
“McSweeney’s a talent,” Warner said.
“They can run the gauntlet with him opening the batting.
“I know he bats No. 3 for South Australia, but I think there’s leadership qualities there as well.”
Speaking to Fox Cricket this week, former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe agreed that Bancroft has looked susceptible against quality pace bowling.
“Bancroft is a very good player, but he still gets out to good balls,” O’Keeffe said.
“The best openers stay in against the good balls. Cameron is still getting out to them.”
Australia A will face India A for a second red-ball at the MCG from Thursday, where Bancroft may get another opportunity to impress the national selectors.
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