Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman compile centuries in mammoth opening stand
On any normal day, an unbeaten 232-run stand would be feted as a supreme exhibition of the openers’ craft, but this was no normal day.
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On any normal day, an unbeaten 232-run stand would be feted as a supreme exhibition of the openers’ craft.
But this was no normal day, so Cam Bancroft (103 from 220 balls) and Sam Whiteman (117 from 188) had to be content with batting in the shade of Victoria’s Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski.
As mighty as it was, Bancroft and Whiteman aren’t even halfway there. Their stand is 254 runs fewer than the record Sheffield Shield partnership posted by the Victorian pair earlier on Monday.
Still, the West Australian openers wiped out a 130-run first innings deficit and eked out a 102-run lead with a day to play against Tasmania at Park 25 No 1 in Adelaide.
Second-game seamer Lance Morris, 22, who took 5-94 to be the pick of the WA attack, said the openers had given the side the opportunity to push for a win on Monday.
“It was really good to put the feet up and watch them go to work after a hard day in the dirt early on,” Morris said.
“It gives us a few options heading into tomorrow. Hopefully we can get a few more on top of that and we can see what happens.”
Morris dismissed Tasmania’s top-scorer Ben McDermott and bowled Australian captain Tim Paine for 12.
“I think we’re even because he cut me for the biggest six I’ve ever seen,” Morris said.
“But it was great to get a scalp like that. I’m pinching myself.”
Resuming on 5-273, the Tasmanian tail wagged furiously to power the total to 432.
No 9 Nathan Ellis made 41 and No 11 Jackson Bird smashed four fours and three sixes in a 19-ball 39.
Originally published as Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman compile centuries in mammoth opening stand