Renshaw under the gun as Cam emerges
CAMERON Bancroft is storming into prime contention to steal Matt Renshaw’s opening spot for the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.
The compelling form of the 24-year-old West Australian in comparison to the quicksand engulfing Renshaw was the biggest development on a day that marked Matthew Wade’s hopes of retaining his place as Test wicketkeeper officially dead and buried following another failure for Tasmania.
Selector Mark Waugh said yesterday that Renshaw “had a good chance” of playing at the Gabba based on the mettle he’s shown in his 10 Test matches to date, but the rumblings around the lefthander’s technical issues are growing ever louder after another meek dismissal for Queensland yesterday.
Initial suggestions that Renshaw was under pressure seemed baseless given the distinct lack of alternatives to replace him as David Warner’s partner, but in Bancroft another young and real option has emerged and his timing is impeccable.
While Renshaw has made just 69 runs from five innings
this Shield season, Bancroft scored 89 not out and 86 against an all-Australian NSW attack and now a century against South Australia yesterday at the WACA.
“He played really well (against Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins last week). Those are the sort of performances you want to see on a consistent basis from players at State level,” said Waugh at the launch of Triple M’s bumper Ashes coverage.
“We’ve seen periods where batters have batted well but then haven’t quite nailed it with a lot of big scores, but Cameron’s two innings were really good against a Test bowling attack.
“That’s the sort of effort as far as me being a selector … definitely puts you high in the order for selectors.”
Waugh will fly to Brisbane tomorrow to convene with fellow selectors.