Bancroft omission blasted

Langer: Opener ‘gutted’

Former Australian coach Justin Langer has slammed the non-selection of Cameron Bancroft for the Test series against the West Indies after selectors opted against calling on a specialist opener to replace David Warner.

West Australian opener Bancroft, the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield for the past two seasons, as well as Victorian opener Marcus Harris, who was given a Cricket Australia contract and loomed as the man most likely to fill the Warner void, were both overlooked.

Matthew Renshaw was the only new face, while Steve Smith looks set to open the batting against the Windies with Cameron Green recalled to bolster the middle order.

Selection chief George Bailey defended the call declaring they wanted the “best six batters in the country” in the team.

“Cameron Green will come into the playing XI for the Test in Adelaide in a squad also containing Scott Boland and Matthew Renshaw,” he said.

“We have selected a team we believe contains the best six batters in the country,” Bailey said. Langer, who coached Bancroft at WA as well as during his time in charge of the national team, said the opener would be “gutted” and that his numbers gave him an “undeniable” claim on the spot.

“The non-selection of Cameron Bancroft for this next test match against the West Indies is disappointing. He will be gutted,” Langer wrote for The West Australian. “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.

“His numbers are outstanding. Not only has he made a lot of runs, but his fielding in the slips or at bat pad is as good as any player in the country. A lot of good judges have pointed to his weight of runs, they are undeniable.”

Langer dismissed any suggestion of lingering tensions over Bancroft’s role in the sandpaper scandal of 2018, and subsequent suggestions that many players, including the bowlers, knew what was going on.

Bancroft served a ninemonth ban but was recalled to the Test team for the 2019 Ashes, playing the opening two matches before being dropped.

“Others might point to his past, and a vast error of judgment in South Africa. He, like no other, knows the mistake he made. He has taken major steps forward, just as Steve Smith and David Warner did after their suspensions. Hopefully he has been forgiven for that,” Langer wrote.