Cricket news: Cameron Bancroft ready for Australia Test return as race to replace David Warner heats up

He’s been the form batter of the Sheffield Shield, but Cameron Bancroft knows it will be a tough battle to win the race to replace David Warner in the Australian Test team.

Cameron Bancroft believes he is an improved batter compared to the last time he opened for Australia and still holds dreams of pulling on the baggy green again.

The 31-year-old played the last of his 10 Tests during the 2019 Ashes series and averages 26.23 across his 18 innings at the level.

However, Bancroft has been the form first-class batter in Australia over recent seasons and has put together a compelling case for a recall with David Warner’s impending retirement.

He is currently the leading scorer in Sheffield Shield cricket with 505 runs in five matches including two centuries, well above the tally of rival openers such as Matthew Renshaw (305) and Marcus Harris (273).

It has led to renewed calls for Bancroft to be given the first shot as Warner’s successor when Australia takes on the West Indies in a two-Test series in January.

Bancroft has impressed with an average of 63 so far this Sheffield Shield season. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“I’m just playing cricket for Western Australia … that’s honestly where I feel my focus is at,” Bancroft said.

“I don’t deny that like every player in the country that I would love an opportunity to play for Australia again, and certainly it is one of my goals.

“But when I walk out into the middle, I’m purely focused and present on what I can do for my team today.”

While Bancroft admits he hasn’t had too much to do with Australian coach Andrew McDonald previously, he will get a chance to enhance his case in the Prime Minister’s XI game against Pakistan.

In that match, he will hope to showcase the improved technique that has seen him become one of the most consistent batters in Australia.

“I’ve just tried to get a little bit better at things,” Bancroft said.

“The more you play, hopefully, the more you improve. And the more those performances can become consistent. That’s what I strive for.

“If an opportunity presents itself, I’d like to think that I’ve improved my game.

“The moving ball is hard work. It’s not easy to play, you need a bit of luck … that’s the challenge of cricket and opening the batting.

“It’s not the most forgiving place to bat, but I try and go out and do my best and hopefully learn from the experiences that have come.”

The 31-year-old feels he is more prepared for another shot at Test cricket should it come again. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The three-horse race to replace Warner is likely to come down to form. However, Harris has the inside running as the one member of the trio with a Cricket Australia contract. He was also in Australia’s most recent Test squad, during this year’s Ashes in England.

Bancroft could come into consideration by selectors if they want to return to a right and left-handed option at the top of the order.

For now, Bancroft is more than content being part of a Western Australian side looking to win their third-consecutive Sheffield Shield title.

“Winning is way more fun than losing,” he said. “We’ve been pretty successful for a couple of seasons, and it makes coming to training and games really exciting.

“Through your career, you’re always going to go through challenging times and moments. But it’s nice our work has paid off. We’ve had some success, but we’re not satisfied either. We want that to keep going.”