Cameron Bancroft’s fourth Sheffield Shield century for the summer was a big one

If Australian selectors want an opening batter to replace David Warner in India one of his former partners is making a pretty strong case.

Cameron Bancroft continues to make a case for a return to Test cricket for the first time since the 2019 Ashes turning his fourth Sheffield Shield century for the season into 176 crucial runs in Tasmania.

While Australian coach Andrew McDonald has backed in Travis Head to fill the role vacated by injured David Warner in India, Bancroft’s name looms large as someone selectors could consider as a potential replacement.

Bancroft, who played his last Test against England at Lord’s in 2019, leads the Shield run-scoring table with 767 after knocking out an unbeaten 176, his 19th first class hundred.

No-other batter has more than two centuries in the competition this summer.

He’s also made two half-centuries, is averaging 56 and has faced more than 1500 balls this season, nearly 500 more than any other batter.

The man Bancroft displaced as the leading-run scorer in the competition, Peter Handscomb, is already in India and back under a baggy green.

A 1️⃣9️⃣th #SheffieldShield century for Cam Bancroft! 💯 He's in serious form this season 💪 #WESTISBESTpic.twitter.com/FPiDDUIpJ0

— WACA (@WACA_Cricket) February 23, 2023

Australia has two Tests to play in India and with Warner back in Australia after suffering a fractured arm, Bancroft could be parachuted in, given Matt Renshaw, who has also opened the batting, failed in the opening Test, was dropped, then failed again when brought in to replace Warner mid-match.

But in the wake of the second Test disaster in Delhi, McDonald said Head, who opened the batting in the second innings, could resume that role.

“If Dave’s unavailable, (Head opening) would make perfect sense,” McDonald said in India.

“We did discuss before coming over here that if we were to lose an opening batter that Trav would be one we’d look to put up there. We feel in the subcontinental conditions that he can get off to the fast starts which he showed.

“We don’t see (Head) as an opener in all conditions, more subcontinental and in other conditions back to the middle order.”

Bancroft’s innings have his team a massive 503 run lead and the home side wilted horribly in response, reduced to 8-101 at stumps with defeat imminent.

At the Gabba, Queensland’s bowlers got their team in to potentially winning position after dismissing NSW for 216 in its second innings, setting the home team a target of 233 runs win, which would keep the Blues winless this season.

The Bulls were 1-35 at stumps, needing 198 runs on the final day for victory.