Ricky Ponting backs Cameron Bancroft to replace David Warner in Test team

Ricky Ponting is backing the forgotten man of Australian cricket for a recall to the Test side this summer in place of David Warner.

Ricky Ponting is backing a forgotten man of Australian cricket for a recall to the Test side this summer in place of David Warner.

Veteran Warner has stated his intention to walk away from Test cricket following January’s SCG Test against Pakistan, although captain Pat Cummins said this week the opener’s place in the Test XI is not yet secured.

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Whether the 37-year-old Warner makes way at the start or midway through the summer, Ponting has identified the man he believes should be up next in the longest form of the game.

It could be argued Cameron Bancroft paid the highest price for his part in the sandpaper scandal that rocked Australian cricket.

There is plenty of speculation over Dave Warner’s replacement in the Test team. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Gallo Images)

While Warner and Steve Smith rebuilt their careers in the national team following that 2018 debacle, Bancroft has been largely unheard of outside state cricket circles.

But the West Australian’s bat has been doing the talking for him over the past 12 months.

Bancroft, 31, led the Sheffield Shield runscorers with an average just below 60 in the 2022/23 season, smashing four centuries and finishing almost 300 runs ahead of second-ranked Daniel Drew.

He’s at it again this year, hitting another two tons and three 50s through six matches for an average of 56.88.

Bancroft’s average was over 63 prior to getting out for just seven runs in a fascinating Shield clash with Queensland currently taking place.

Cameron Bancroft’s Shield form has been irresistible. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

In that match, another potential Warner replacement, Matt Renshaw, scored 30 in the first innings alongside another Test discard Joe Burns (21).

At the same time, Marnus Labuschagne - another potential option atop the order - made a two-ball duck and Usman Khawaja, who is guaranteed one opening position this summer, smashed 102 batting at No. 4 for the Bulls.

Bancroft, Renshaw, Marcus Harris and Cameron Green have all been picked in a PM’s XI to face Pakistan in Canberra starting December 6.

Bancroft has fallen foul of the selectors, playing his last Test for Australia in 2019 and being overlooked for Harris for this year’s Ashes squad, despite a far superior record at Shield level.

But cricketing great Ponting says there’s only one real option to replace Warner when he departs the Test scene.

“If you look at those three guys (Bancroft, Renshaw and Harris), I think it’s quite clear that Bancroft is the one that’s got the runs on the board and I wouldn’t be surprised if (selectors) go that way,” Ponting told SEN radio this week.

Ricky Ponting had some big calls over the team he would pick for this summer’s Test matches. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“If you wind the clock back about six months it might have been a slightly different order than what it is now.

“I think they probably had Harris as the one that would come back in a while ago.

“To me now it sort of feels (there’s) a bit more of a groundswell behind Cameron Bancroft getting first crack.”

All-rounder Green, who was dropped during this year’s Ashes series, is another intriguing Test prospect.

The 24-year-old hit an impressive 96 for Western Australia in that Shield match and also finished with the tidy figures of 0-17 from 11 overs with the ball.

That match has one day remaining on Friday for players to impress, but Ponting doesn’t know if Green should be returned to the baggy green just yet.

“I think Cameron Green might just have to sit back and bide his time and wait for the opportunity to come back,” Ponting said.

Cameron Green reacts after being dismissed for 96 in the Shield match against Queensland. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“He can get a truckload of runs in Shield cricket and sort of force his way back into the side.”

Ponting also had one more surprise in his SEN chat, backing Glenn Maxwell for consideration for a Test recall.

“I could see him (Maxwell) getting back into a Test line-up because of the all-round game that he brings in those conditions,” Ponting said.

“The (201) not out in that (World Cup) game against Afghanistan is the most remarkable one-day innings I’ve ever seen.

“I’ve been around a lot of games, watched a lot of games, played a lot of games, I’ve never ever seen anything like that.”