Western Australia in mutiny over Cameron Bancroft’s snub from Test squad

An entire Aussie state has been left seeing red over one controversial aspect of David Warner’s retirement from the Test team.

The relationship between Cricket Australia and Western Australia appears to be on life support after Cameron Bancroft’s snub from the Aussie Test squad.

Bancroft, 31, was touted as a leading candidate to replace the retiring David Warner with his scoring prowess in the Sheffield Shield leaving many to believe the role was his.

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Alongside Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw, Bancroft had looked like the locked-in option to partner with Usman Khawaja atop the Australian order.

He has been the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield over the last two seasons, putting up 1457 runs while helping West Australia to back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.

But that was all thrown out the window within the past week when Steve Smith let it be known his interest in opening for Australia.

The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday that Smith is poised to win the race to replace Warner, with all-rounder Cameron Green to make his way back into squad team at fourth in the order.

The final nail in the coffin for Bancroft however is the fact that not only did he miss out on being named as Warner’s replacement, he reportedly missed out on a spot in the squad entirely.

Renshaw, meanwhile, is reportedly set to be named in the West Indies series squad as a reserve batter, with his versatility giving him the edge.

It was a move that left Western Australian fans seeing red.

Sorry Cam, no spot for you. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Former WA and Australian all-rounder Tom Moody took to social media to blast the “oversight” of selectors in snubbing Bancroft.

“Selection is never an easy task but the oversight of Cameron Bancroft is shocking,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“His first class numbers are so compelling against his peers it feels there is another agenda which I hope was communicated to him honestly!”

Former Australian coach Justin Langer was quick to blast the decision after Bancroft had done everything required of him to be named in the squad.

“The non-selection of Cameron Bancroft for this next test match against the West Indies is disappointing. He will be gutted,” Langer wrote for The West Australian.

“The mantra for all selectors is to tell aspiring players to score runs, take wickets, knock down the door. Be so good we can’t ignore you. Bancroft was given this message. All players are. He has taken the advice.

“His numbers are outstanding. Not only has he made a lot of runs, but his fielding in the slips or at bat pad is as good as any player in the country. A lot of good judges have pointed to his weight of runs, they are undeniable.

Bancroft misses out ... again. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“Critics might point to his weaknesses of days gone by. Every player who is any good, gets dropped, looks for feedback and then goes away and gets better. Bancroft has ticked this box as well.”

Bancroft’s Test exile began following the infamous sandpaper scandal that unfolded in 2018 and remains a key point that hangs over his head.

“Others might point to his past, and a vast error of Judgement in South Africa. He, like no other, knows the mistake he made. He has taken major steps forward, just as Steve Smith and David Warner did after their suspensions. Hopefully he has been forgiven for that,” Langer wrote.

“Form can’t be the issue. Timing isn’t either. David Warner has just retired. Cameron Bancroft will feel disappointed, as will Marcus Harris who has been next in line for some time. Matthew Renshaw will be understandably delighted.”

Former Australian Test captain Kim Hughes said that overlooking what Bancroft had achieved in the Sheffield Shield would send the wrong message to players in the first-class system.

“I think the other, and a very important thing is, you must reward those that are performing well, and our Sheffield Shield competition — yes it is not as strong as it used to be when he had our Test players playing in it — it is still the competition from which you can have a look and see who is playing well,” Hughes told The West Australian.

“I just think get Bancroft in there, it also sends a message to the Shield players that if you perform, you’ll get picked.

“You may as well go and play marbles — it would be just shattering.”

The Australian squad for the Test series against the West Indies is set to be officially announced at 11am on January 10.