Joe Burns, Marcus Stoinis battle for spot on South Africa tour with Cameron Bancroft to be retained
THERE is only one vacancy in the squad Australia will take to South Africa, and it looks like coming down to a two-horse race.
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CAMERON Bancroft will be retained for the tour of South Africa, but will Australia feel they also need a Plan B?
There appears to be only one vacancy in the 15-man squad Australia will take to South Africa for the four-Test series in March, and at this stage it looks like coming down to a two-horse race between Queenslander Joe Burns and West Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
If selectors are following the same pattern as they did four years ago when they won in South Africa and take a back-up all-rounder, then Stoinis is the front runner, but the balance of this current squad may demand a batsman capable of covering the top order.
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Burns has been in outstanding form this summer, has three centuries to his name at Test level and is capable of batting anywhere from 1-6.
Taking Burns as back-up would be an indication Bancroft is under some pressure, but coach Darren Lehmann made it clear that selectors were determined to back the man they picked for a high-pressured debut for this Ashes series.
Bancroft has received the strongest possible backing from both Lehmann and captain Steve Smith.
“We’ll make a decision on South Africa in a couple of weeks, but I’ve been impressed with the way he’s gone about it with Davey Warner,” said Lehmann.
“He would like bigger scores as you always would as a batsman, but some of our starts have been exceptional, especially early on in the series.
“We got starts in most games, so that’s the pleasing thing.
“For me you’ve got a young guy there learning his craft and he’s got a great work ethic, so for me moving forward, … he’s a good young kid, works hard and we’re pretty happy with him.
“… At the end of the day it’ll come down to selectors.”
Stoinis would have been picked for a Test debut at the start of this Ashes summer if he wasn’t at the same time dealing with the tragic passing of his father.
The brilliant all-rounder is at the top of Australia’s watch-list, but the fact Mitchell Marsh has booked himself in for some time at No. 6 may work against Stoinis.
If selected, Stoinis would essentially be on injury standby for Marsh, which selectors may feel is taking up a spot.
Lehmann said he was impressed with the way vice-captain David Warner changed his tempo this series to adjust to England’s plans to try and restrict his scoring.
He believes Warner and Bancroft gelled well.
“(There) was a plan from them to restrict his scoring, but I thought he handled it really well, showed a bit of maturity from Davey, which was great,” said Lehmann.
“For him to bat a long period of time is good for him, he knows he can go both ways.”