Bancroft's technique in Ashes spotlight
Dec 29, 2017 - 7:24 AM Cameron Bancroft's technique is under renewed scrutiny after the emerging opener again fell cheaply in the fourth Ashes Test.And with an important tour of South Africa around the corner, Usman Khawaja fared even worse on Friday as Australia looked to salvage a draw in the dead-rubber MCG contest.
Bancroft looked in reasonable touch before chopping a Chris Woakes delivery onto his stumps on 27.
The West Australian has scored 179 runs at 29.83 in a solid but not spectacular start to his Test career.
Australia will play four Tests in South Africa beginning in March and the tour squad is expected to be picked before the next Sheffield Shield round starts on February 8.
It is highly unlikely selectors would lose faith in Bancroft, particularly with predecessor Matt Renshaw badly out of form.
But his latest dismissal at the MCG was enough to raise queries about his positioning and technique.
"The problem is that toe coming across and pointing at cover makes it difficult for him to get the bat through where he wants to," former Test opener Michael Slater told the Nine Network.
"He has to play in an awkward way and the bat's path comes down away from the pad, (which) was enough for an inside-edge back onto the stumps.
"He didn't do a lot wrong but I think opposition bowling attacks will target the bat-flow and just how he places that front foot."
Test allrounder and WA captain Mitch Marsh said Bancroft was resilient enough to handle his form being scrutinised.
"The good thing about Cameron is that even though he's missed out on big scores, he's getting starts, which means that he has the ability to get through new-ball spells," Marsh said.
"He's a different cat, he has his own little things that he does but he's been great around the group and that won't change for him."
Khawaja fell on 11 when Jimmy Anderson went around the wicket and lured him into an edge.
The left-hander made fifties in Adelaide and Perth but his return for the series of 162 runs at 27 is down on his customary summer output.
Former captain Michael Clarke said selectors should keep the faith in the 30-year-old, whose sole Test in South Africa came in 2011.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Ashton Agar all grown up since Ashes debut Dec 30
- All eyes on SCG pitch for the Ashes finale Dec 30
- In-form Smith setting new benchmark: Cook Dec 30
- Cook eyes big Ashes finish in Australia Dec 30
- Insatiable Smith continues dominant Ashes Dec 30
- MCG pitch not good for anyone: Smith Dec 30
- Mitch Marsh has come a long way: Smith Dec 30
- Aussies bat out draw in fourth Ashes Test Dec 30
- Warner falls short of record-breaking ton Dec 29
- Khawaja fires back at 'bizarre' criticism Dec 29
- Agar drafted into Test squad for SCG clash Dec 29
- Reverse-swing to decide fourth Ashes Test Dec 29