Dropped from Australia’s Test side during a challenging Ashes tour, Cameron Bancroft is embracing the opportunity to recharge at home and insists he’s lost none of the doggedness that earned him national selection.
Bancroft’s return to international cricket proved short-lived when he was replaced by Marcus Harris after the second Ashes Test.
Representing Australia for the first time since his ball-tampering suspension, Bancroft fell cheaply at Edgbaston and Lord’s at a time when opening partner - and fellow Cape Town culprit - David Warner was also badly out of form. Bancroft also struggled during the opening Sheffield Shield rounds, although he top-scored with 76 in Western Australia’s one-day cup win over Victoria last week.
The right-hander says he’s batting with a clear mind and isn’t focused on national selection ahead of the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane next month.
‘‘I think I’ve had a lot of distractions probably, obstacles that I’ve had to deal with in my career so far,’’ he said.
‘‘I spent a lot of time away from home, which is challenging. I think the moment I touched down in Perth and got home, you tend to relax ... when I’ve gone out in the middle it’s just been nice to concentrate on my processes.
Cameron Bancroft.Credit: AAP
‘‘I feel like I’m playing really well. In the Shield I’ve got out a couple of strange ways so far this season ... [but] I’m hitting the ball quite nicely down the ground, which I think is a good sign for me.
‘‘If I’m doing that, I think I’m setting myself up to make some runs.’’
Bancroft added that he wasn’t concerned about his technique after being targeted on his pads and twice caught at leg gully in the Shield.
‘‘If they want to keep bowling on my hip, no worries,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ll get some opportunities to hit some other gaps that are presented in the field.’’
Bancroft’s ability to graft in tough conditions earned him high praise during the Ashes from former Test skipper Steve Waugh, who suggested Australia should stick with him as Warner’s opening partner for the long term.
‘‘I think it’s probably one of the greatest strengths of my batting,’’ Bancroft said.
‘‘It’s something that I’ve got really good confidence in. Every time I go out to bat, I look to dig in and face as many balls as I can. The longer you’re out there, the more runs you can score.’’
AAP