Bancroft talks the talk, now he has to walk it
CRICKET: Life in the Australian Test team and on a construction site have one big thing in common – if you’re a rookie apprentice you’re bound to get pranked.
In his first week with the squad, Gabba debutant Cameron Bancroft fell victim to a hoax seemingly everyone was in on. And on his 25th birthday too.
“We stitched him up the other night at dinner,” vice-captain David Warner said. “We said that the youngster, the new kid on the block, has to make a speech at whatever event we’re at.
“There were a couple of rumours that the skipper would tap you on the shoulder. He didn’t get tapped on the shoulder, so he was sort of thinking about how to address it.
“One of the guys said you have to stand up and tap the glass, so he was actually thinking a lot about it. “Then obviously we sang
Happy Birthday for him and he took the initiative and did a thank you speech after that.
“He held himself very well.”
We’re guessing the practical joke wouldn’t have rattled Bancroft, an old-school opener who grew up idolising Justin Langer.
Especially considering how unfazed he is about taking on the Barmy Army on debut.
“I’ve got no doubt it’s something I’ve never experienced before but I’m certainly ready for it,” Bancroft said.
“I’ve copped crap my whole life. I’ve been the brunt of jokes and things like that, so I’d like to think that I’ve developed a bit of a thick skin.”
And those jokes aren’t just from the opposition either.
“My looks are definitely judged upon quite heavily by teammates,” he said with a wry smile. “I don’t really know (what’s wrong with my looks).
“I think I’ve developed a strong tolerance to things like that; the old sticks-andstones theory, I guess.”
Whatever his teammates think of his appearance, they like the looks of his game.
A fortnight ago Bancroft took on a NSW attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon – the Test line-up – and posted scores of 76 not out and 86.
“We had a Test bowling attack against him and he looked to hold his own very well,” Warner said.
“He looks very technically sound and knows his game very well. He looks pretty complete in the nets and I’ve been very happy with what I’ve seen.”