Day two of the Prime Minister’s XI clash with Pakistan delivered the long-awaited ‘bat-off’ between those seeking to replace the retiring David Warner atop Australia’s Test order.
But opening duo Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris both failed to capitalise on promising starts and were unable to make a statement to Australian selectors at Manuka Oval.
But patient knocks from Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw amid difficult scoring conditions has the pair poised to capitalise when play resumes on day three.
Pakistan declared at lunchtime on 9-391 after new skipper Shan Masood struck a superb unbeaten 201 and Australian quick Jordan Buckingham claimed five wickets (more on that below).
Then it was time for what was described this week by former Test keeper Brad Haddin as a ‘top-order shootout’.
But while four Aussie hopefuls battled hard at the crease, there were precious few fireworks on display.
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Harris looked comfortable at the crease before being caught at mid-on on 49, trying to bring up his half-century with an aggressive shot off the bowling of spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Bancroft brought up his own half-ton shortly afterwards – and appeared poise for the kind of big knock that would have struck a big blow in the selection battle – before being given LBW on 53 after one nipped back from Khurram Shahzad.
Bancroft looked gutted at the dismissal (which appeared a correct call from the umpire), but commentators suggested it was due to frustration at himself as a familiar flaw re-emerged.
“I think it was more disappointment from Cam Bancroft,” Brad McNamara said on Fox Cricket.
“From what we’ve seen from Cameron Bancroft’s career, playing across that front pad like that has been a bit of a weakness. I think it was almost a ‘oh no, not again’ from Cam Bancroft.”
“It’s that bat arc, isn’t it?” Brett Lee said.
“You don’t want to be playing across your pads, especially with reverse swing in play,” he added.
Matt Renshaw (18* off 71) and Cameron Green (19* off 60), both also hunting a place in the Test XI, then bunkered down in a patient display.
Scoring was no easy feat under the lights at Manuka Oval, though Green in particular impressed with his concentrated effort to defend his oversized front pad – something that has proven a minor issue in the past.
The pair guided Australia to 2-149 at stumps on day two, with the PM’s XI chasing Pakistan’s 391 (declared).
MATCH CENTRE: PM XI vs Pakistan live scorecard
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PAKISTAN SKIPPER MAKES STATEMENT AS AUSSIE BOLTER SHINES
Earlier, newly-appointed Pakistan captain Shan Masood delivered a masterful batting performance, hitting an unbeaten 201 from 298 deliveries before declaring at lunch on day two of the match.
Masood, in his first innings as skipper, began the second day on 156* and continued to stand tall, with his double century including 14 fours and a six.
“Well played, it’s an innings of determination, grit, attacking at stages but also patience on this slow wicket,” Brett Lee said in commentary for Fox Sports.
“You don’t score double tons by accident … that’ll give him a lot of confidence going into the first Test.
“This is better than any net session he’s going to get.”
Pakistan declared at 9-391 to bring about lunch, having made the most of a Manuka Oval pitch which favoured the batters.
Now the Australian batters will get their chance in what has been described as a ‘bat-off’ between Western Australian Cameron Bancroft, Victorian Marcus Harris and Queenslander Matthew Renshaw to replace the retiring David Warner.
South Australia’s Jordan Buckingham was exceptional with the ball, picking up 5/80 off 23 overs including the prized wicket of Babar Azam, who stepped down from captaincy in all formats after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Fox Cricket’s Kerry O’Keeffe in April labelled Buckingham a potential Test bolter (for this year’s Ashes Tour in England), calling him an “outstanding talent” who “bowls like Jason Gillespie”.
The 23-year-old was a late addition to the team for the four-day match, replacing Michael Neser who withdrew with soreness.
This match was Buckingham’s third first-class five-wicket haul, having twice done so for Australia A against New Zealand (on debut in April then again in August).
On the back of an excellent start to his Sheffield Shield campaign with the Redbacks, picking up 14 wickets at 25.57 from three matches – including a career-best 7-71 against Tasmania – Buckingham has signed for the Brisbane Heat as a replacement player for the upcoming season.
GREEN STILL DOESN’T BOWL AS QUESTIONS GROW
But after question marks over all-rounder Cameron Green not bowling on the first day, he was again not used on the second day despite a full seven different Aussies being thrown the ball.
Former NSW all-rounder Brad McNamara was left confused by the decision, explaining the Western Australian’s workloads could be being managed, after bowling 19 overs for WA in the Sheffield Shield last week.
“Maybe he is playing this game as a batter but if something were to happen to Mitch Marsh between now and this next Test, he’s playing,” he said on day one.
“Surely you’d want a few overs under your belt.”
Former Australian seamer Brendon Julian echoed McNamara’s opinion but did explain that he’s missed a chance to impress selectors.
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“I think you’re spot on, I’m not saying he needs to bowl a lot of overs but if he comes out and bowls two short spells, take two or three wickets, he looks impressive, then selectors will look at that,” he said.
“He would’ve done a lot of bowling in the nets probably, over there at the World Cup, but basically hasn’t played too much.
“I’d love to have him and Mitch Marsh in the same side, and I know that’s a tricky one to balance the batting line-up … I think moving forward having both of them in the side makes the team better.”
Marsh reclaimed his spot in the Test team during the Ashes and belted a century at Headingley after an injury to Green.
Now a selection battle is looming between the two all-rounders, but Julian believes both players could fit in the team.
“It’s not the wildest thought to have two all-rounders in the side, just because Mitch Marsh is in the side doesn’t mean he can’t break into it and Marsh stay there as well, moving forward,” he said.
Prime Minister’s XI: Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Green, Nathan McSweeney (c), Beau Webster, Jimmy Peirson, Nathan McAndrew, Mark Steketee, Todd Murphy, Jordan Buckingham
Pakistan XI
Abdullah Shafiq, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed
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