London: Former Test captain Steve Waugh has implored selectors to stick with Cameron Bancroft “for the long term” amid increasing scrutiny of the West Australians spot in the Australian team.
Waughs backing of the 26-year-old came as England fast bowler Stuart Broad revealed he had changed up his plans to Bancrofts partner David Warner, who has also had an uninspiring start to the Ashes.
With only 41 runs between them at the halfway point of the second Test, it was far from the profitable returns the two had hoped for after re-forming a combination first installed for the 2017/18 Ashes.
Bancrofts difficulties at Edgbaston and Lords heaped further pressure on his place in the line-up but Waugh, who is with the Australian team in England as a mentor, defended the right-hander, pointing to him batting for 105 minutes for his 13 runs in the first innings in tough conditions on the second evening and third morning in London.
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“I thought Bancroft hung in there pretty well, he just needed to spend another half hour there, get a few more balls away out of the middle and he would have been right,” Waugh said.
“Its a fine line, you can analyse and scrutinise players but thats Test match cricket. Sometimes you are going to miss out. If you pick a guy you back him for the long term and right now we are confident those guys are going to bounce back.
Jofra Archer celebrates his first Test wicket after dismissing Cameron Bancroft.Credit:PA
“They both want to get a lot more runs obviously, but Test match cricket is tough. Its challenging and the conditions over here are not easy for batting, its not as if the ball is coming on and you can play a big cover drive. You have to work really hard for every run. And both bowling attacks are world class. You are up against some really quality bowlers who have taken a lot of wickets, have a lot of experience, and lot of knowhow and youve got to work hard for your runs.”
While Australia have Marcus Harris as a back-up opener in their squad they also have fellow batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh in the touring party if selectors considered a change in this series and wanted to reshuffle the batting order rather than go for a straight swap.
Waugh was confident, however, Bancroft could turn it around.
“Camerons preparation for this Test was excellent. He looked really good in the nets, and hes pretty relaxed at the moment,” he said. “Hed like some more runs but I am backing him to do well. Hes a thoroughly professional cricketer, a nice, decent guy who works hard at his game. Hes dedicated and hes disappointed he missed out, but hes the sort of cricketer … hes tough and hell come back.”
Broad, meanwhile, detailed how he had altered his approach to Warner in this series. It is one that has delivered success, with thRead More – Source
London: Former Test captain Steve Waugh has implored selectors to stick with Cameron Bancroft “for the long term” amid increasing scrutiny of the West Australians spot in the Australian team.
Waughs backing of the 26-year-old came as England fast bowler Stuart Broad revealed he had changed up his plans to Bancrofts partner David Warner, who has also had an uninspiring start to the Ashes.
With only 41 runs between them at the halfway point of the second Test, it was far from the profitable returns the two had hoped for after re-forming a combination first installed for the 2017/18 Ashes.
Bancrofts difficulties at Edgbaston and Lords heaped further pressure on his place in the line-up but Waugh, who is with the Australian team in England as a mentor, defended the right-hander, pointing to him batting for 105 minutes for his 13 runs in the first innings in tough conditions on the second evening and third morning in London.
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“I thought Bancroft hung in there pretty well, he just needed to spend another half hour there, get a few more balls away out of the middle and he would have been right,” Waugh said.
“Its a fine line, you can analyse and scrutinise players but thats Test match cricket. Sometimes you are going to miss out. If you pick a guy you back him for the long term and right now we are confident those guys are going to bounce back.
Jofra Archer celebrates his first Test wicket after dismissing Cameron Bancroft.Credit:PA
“They both want to get a lot more runs obviously, but Test match cricket is tough. Its challenging and the conditions over here are not easy for batting, its not as if the ball is coming on and you can play a big cover drive. You have to work really hard for every run. And both bowling attacks are world class. You are up against some really quality bowlers who have taken a lot of wickets, have a lot of experience, and lot of knowhow and youve got to work hard for your runs.”
While Australia have Marcus Harris as a back-up opener in their squad they also have fellow batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh in the touring party if selectors considered a change in this series and wanted to reshuffle the batting order rather than go for a straight swap.
Waugh was confident, however, Bancroft could turn it around.
“Camerons preparation for this Test was excellent. He looked really good in the nets, and hes pretty relaxed at the moment,” he said. “Hed like some more runs but I am backing him to do well. Hes a thoroughly professional cricketer, a nice, decent guy who works hard at his game. Hes dedicated and hes disappointed he missed out, but hes the sort of cricketer … hes tough and hell come back.”
Broad, meanwhile, detailed how he had altered his approach to Warner in this series. It is one that has delivered success, with thRead More – Source
