Sydney, Oct 23: Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has endorsed Cameron Bancroft for a Test recall, suggesting the 31-year-old as an opener for Australia in the upcoming five-match series against India.A lower back stress fracture injury to all-rounder Cameron Green may present a chance for Bancroft to earn a recall into the Test team for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, starting on November 22 in Perth.
“I don’t think it’s fair to pick someone on two games. This is also what I’ve said about Sam Konstas as well. I think he’s a very talented player and I love that he’s started the season very well, but just because you get two hundreds doesn’t mean you jump someone that’s scored 12 hundreds in the past four years, like Bancroft or Harris,” Clarke said on Skyās Big Sports Breakfast.
“They’ve played first-class cricket for a long time, they’ve earned the right to be next in line. “I would be very disappointed if I was captain of the Australian cricket team and I didn’t know who was opening the batting right now in that first Test match,” he added.
Bancroft, who has been the leading run-getter in Sheffield Shieldās last few seasons, is in the mix alongside Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris to open the batting for Australia in the upcoming series.
Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins has said that his side will “make amends” this time around after the loss in the last four successive editions of the series.
Australia were able to retain the title in the last four BGT, which includes their famous series wins in 2018-19 and 2020-21, where Rishabh Pant played a remarkable knock of 89 not out in Gabba and snatched the victory in style to end Australia’s 32-year undefeated run at their fortress.
The Aussie skipper called the India wicketkeeper-batter an X-factor in the middle order while also highlighting his checky behaviour behind the stumps.
“Rishabh had a great series here in Australia last time. Heās always a bit of that X-factor in the middle order. You never quite know what you’re going to get, which is exciting, even as the opposition. And he’s always got something to say behind the stumpsāheās very funny, makes me laugh,” Cummins said in Star Sports’ Press Room.
Cummins also shared his thoughts on how the Australian bowling line-up rates Indian youngsters like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“Iāve played a little bit against Shubman. Haven’t seen a lot of Jaiswal, just a bit in the IPL. But they both look like young guys who’ve scored a fair few runs in different formats. We’ll get down here and have a good look at them. But yeah, we’re still a little while away from the series, so I can’t say Iāve been planning too closely for them yet.”
The upcoming five-match Test series between India and Australia will start on November 22. The series will see India and Australia play in Perth, Adelaide (pink-ball match), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney from November 22 to January 7, 2025.