Runs will come for Cameron Bancroft despite Lord’s failure insists Steve Waugh

Australia’s coaching staff insist Cameron Bancroft’s scratchy 13 on day three at Lord’s, and 15 from two Edgbaston innings, is no cause for concern, despite him edging or missing a third of balls faced.

• Match report: Smith, rain blunt Poms’ attack
• Burns opens up on toughest knock of all
• The tough call now facing Aussie selectors
• Even Smith’s leaves are worth the admission

The Australian coaching staff has thrown its arms and their support around out-of-sorts opener Cameron Bancroft after his third Ashes failure in a row at Lord’s.

Bancroft made a scratchy 13, to go with his total of 15 from two innings at Edgbaston, after a 66-ball stay in the toughest conditions to bat, a period in which his inability to score stood out.

While he hung around for the first 45 minutes of a rain-affected day three he made just eight runs, compared to Usman Khawaja’s 20 in the same time.

Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial >

Bancroft, brought back in to the team after his nine month ban, has now faced 128 balls this series for just 28 runs. At Lord’s he edged or missed one in every three balls he faced according to an analysis by CricViz.

England celebrate the wicket of Cameron Bancroft after another failure from the opener.

But team mentor, and legendary Australian captain Steve Waugh, said nowhere was harder to bat than up front in England and both Bancroft and Warner, who only has 13 in three Ashes innings, would bounce back.

“I don’t think you look at the runs too much. I think Dave Warner looked really good last night (on day two),” Waugh said.

“It was a pretty good delivery which got him, I don’t think that’s too much cause for concern. Bancroft stayed in there for quite a while, did a good job for the team. They both want to get a lot more runs obviously, but Test match cricket is tough.”

Bancroft has faced 128 balls this Ashes series for a return of just 28 runs.

Waugh said Bancroft had a perfect preparation for the second Test, but he looked like he was battling against some seriously good bowling from Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer in perfect conditions.

Having experienced everything English conditions can dish up for batsmen, Waugh said he and coach Justin Langer would remind Bancroft what was needed to not only survive, but thrive.

“I see my role is to get guys comfortable and confident and relaxed, that’s what I am trying to do,” Waugh said.

“Cameron’s preparation for this Test was excellent. He looked really good in the nets, and he’s pretty relaxed at the moment. He’d like some more runs but I am backing him to do well.

“He’s a thoroughly professional cricketer, and a nice, decent guy who works hard at his game. He’s dedicated and he’s disappointed he missed out, but he’s the sort of cricketer, he’s tough and he’ll come back.”