Cameron Bancroft leads charge for WA as Sheffield Shield final looms

Cameron Bancroft’s state captain says the opener “would not be far away” from Australian selection after a scintillating hundred.

Western Australian opener Cameron Bancroft has been endorsed for a Test return by his captain as the Warriors all but secured a second consecutive home Sheffield Shield final.

Bancroft piled on an unbeaten 176 in the second innings as WA thrashed Tasmania by 383 runs in Hobart, staying clear atop the ladder with two rounds remaining for the season.

Acting Warriors skipper Sam Whiteman said his opening partner was in phenomenal touch and on the verge of an international cricket comeback.

“Cameron Bancroft is having an amazing season – he’s just so confident and his game is in such a good place,” Whiteman said.

“I’m sure an Australian call-up wouldn’t be far away.”

Cameron Bancroft’s stellar form could earn him a call-up to the Australian side ahead of the third Test against India. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

It remains to be seen whether Bancroft will be called into the Australian squad to replace the injured David Warner, who has returned home to recover from a fractured elbow, but the right-hander ensured his name was at the top of the pile as he moved past Peter Handscomb to become the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield.

Western Australia will regain Ashton Agar for its next Shield match at home, but fast bowler Lance Morris, who led the competition for wickets before his departure on the India tour, is likely to remain overseas until at least the end of the third Test while skipper Pat Cummins is unavailable due to a family illness.

“(Agar) will create a bit of a selection headache but it’s a good problem to have,” Whiteman said.

Jimmy Peirson continued his exceptional Sheffield Shield campaign with a matchwinning hundred at the Gabba against NSW. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

“We had a taste of (a Sheffield Shield final) last year, and the group is as motivated as ever to do that again.”

Queensland kept pressure on Victoria for the second finals spot with a resilient win over NSW, who had held a narrow first innings lead after a five-wicket haul to Sean Abbott.

The Bulls claimed their third Shield victory of the season by five wickets as captain Jimmy Peirson accelerated the scoring rate in darkening conditions with an unbeaten 30 to secure the points late on day four at the Gabba.

The Queensland keeper was the clear man of the match after his first innings 115 kept the Bulls within striking distance, while Jack Clayton had an important hand in the chase with a gritty 87 not out.

The next round of Shield matches will begin on March 2, with NSW hosting Victoria, South Australia travelling to face Queensland and Western Australia playing Tasmania in Perth.