Bancroft's Test Hopes Dented as WA Beats Tasmania

Bancroft’s Test Hopes Dented as WA Beats Tasmania

Cameron Bancroft’s Test recall hopes suffered another setback as he failed for the fourth consecutive time in the Sheffield Shield season. However, Josh Inglis continued to impress, while Hilton Cartwright guided Western Australia to a six-wicket victory over Tasmania at the WACA.

Chasing a modest target of 83 on the final day, Bancroft had a chance to boost his confidence after scoring just eight runs in his previous three innings. However, he struggled against the probing bowling of Riley Meredith and Kieran Elliott, miscuing a pull shot to fine leg for just two runs.

“He’s pretty good to be honest…keeping things really simple,” said WA captain Sam Whiteman of Bancroft. “I think it’s a matter of time. Each fail…he’s one closer to a big score. He’s a pretty positive guy.”

WA’s chase hit a snag as they slumped to 18 for 4, with Whiteman, Mitchell Marsh, and Aaron Hardie falling to Elliott. Inglis and Cartwright then steadied the ship with a quick half-century partnership, guiding WA to victory. Inglis finished unbeaten on 26 from 36 balls, while Cartwright remained not out on 39 from 50 balls.

Cartwright’s performance was particularly remarkable as he had to leave the ground at tea on day two when his wife went into labor. He returned on day three to resume his innings on 52 after the birth of his second child.

Tasmania’s innings ended quickly on day four, with Brody Couch claiming his fourth wicket of the innings to trap Meredith in front. Couch finished with match figures of 7 for 83, touching speeds of 143kph.

Cameron Green's Injury Opens Door for Cameron Bancroft's Test Recall

Cameron Green’s Injury Opens Door for Cameron Bancroft’s Test Recall

Cameron Green’s injury has cast a shadow over Australia’s preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. The all-rounder’s absence could pave the way for Cameron Bancroft’s Test recall, according to former skipper Mark Taylor.

Green has been ruled out of the five-match series due to a stress fracture in his lower back. The 25-year-old has a history of back injuries, having suffered four stress fractures in the past. However, he had been clear of any issues since 2019.

Green’s absence will force Australia to reshuffle their batting order. Taylor believes that Steve Smith will move back to his preferred number four spot, leaving the opening position vacant.

“I’d love to see a right-handed opening batsman get the opportunity,” Taylor said. “And to me at the moment … I would have Bancroft penciled in alongside (Usman) Khawaja.”

Bancroft has been in impressive form in the Sheffield Shield, topping the run-scoring charts for the past two years. He has also served a nine-month ban for his role in the 2018 ball-tampering incident.

Taylor also suggested that young opener Sam Konstas could be included in the Test squad. Konstas has scored back-to-back centuries against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will begin on November 22 in Perth. Australia will be looking to retain the trophy after winning the previous edition in 2020-21.

WA Batters Resist Queensland Rally to Keep Shield Hopes Alive

WA Batters Resist Queensland Rally to Keep Shield Hopes Alive

Western Australia’s hopes of extending their Sheffield Shield dominance were boosted by a resilient batting display on day three against Queensland. Despite losing Cameron Bancroft for a duck, Mitchell Marsh and Hilton Cartwright steadied the ship with an unbroken 59-run partnership.

After gaining a 98-run lead, WA stumbled to 47 for 3 in their second innings. Bancroft’s untimely dismissal raised concerns, as he had been touted as a potential Test recall. However, Marsh and Cartwright’s partnership has put WA back on track.

Marsh, batting at No. 4, played cautiously but occasionally unleashed his trademark power hitting. He finished the day on 40 not out, while Cartwright contributed 19. Their partnership has given WA a solid foundation to build on.

Queensland had earlier fought back with the ball, taking three quick wickets. Michael Neser dismissed Bancroft for the second time in the match, while Jack Wildermuth and Tom Straker accounted for Jayden Goodwin and Sam Whiteman respectively.

However, WA’s bowlers responded with a strong performance in the second session. Cameron Gannon led the charge with a five-wicket haul, including the crucial dismissal of Jack Clayton for 85. Ben McDermott also fell for 68, sparking a collapse that saw Queensland lose six wickets for 66 runs.

The match, which had appeared destined for a draw, has now been thrown open. The surface has flattened, but the second new ball has brought life back into the contest. WA will be looking to press their advantage on day four, while Queensland will need to find a way to break the Marsh-Cartwright partnership.

Gloucestershire Triumph Over Surrey in Metro Bank One-Day Cup

Gloucestershire Triumph Over Surrey in Metro Bank One-Day Cup

Cameron Bancroft’s masterful century and a disciplined bowling performance propelled Gloucestershire to a convincing 37-run victory over Surrey in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

Bancroft’s 100 from 109 deliveries laid the foundation for Gloucestershire’s imposing total of 301. Miles Hammond contributed a brisk 51, while skipper Jack Taylor’s explosive 44, featuring five sixes, provided late impetus.

Surrey’s chase was anchored by Ryan Patel’s defiant 87 and Josh Blake’s 50, but they fell short of the target, mustering only 264. Conor McKerr impressed with List A best figures of 4-32, while Cameron Steel claimed 4-61.

Gloucestershire’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout Surrey’s innings. Matt Taylor’s 4-44 and Ajeet Singh Dale’s 2-49 proved crucial in restricting the hosts.

Surrey’s top order struggled against Taylor’s new ball burst, with Dom Sibley and Ben Geddes dismissed cheaply. Patel and Ben Foakes rallied with an 89-run partnership, but Singh Dale and Taylor broke the stand.

Blake and McKerr threatened with an 85-run seventh-wicket partnership, but Taylor’s sharp lifter ended McKerr’s resistance. Singh Dale then removed Foakes and Patel, leaving Surrey on the brink of defeat.

Blake and McKerr’s late resistance delayed Gloucestershire’s victory, but Dom Goodman’s dismissal of Blake sealed the deal.

Bancroft’s century anchored Gloucestershire’s innings, while Hammond’s half-century provided early momentum. Taylor’s late cameo gave the visitors a significant boost.

Surrey’s bowlers, led by McKerr and Steel, kept Gloucestershire in check for much of the innings. However, Taylor’s aggressive batting and Bancroft’s steady accumulation proved too much for the hosts.

Bancroft Century Puts Gloucestershire on Verge of Victory Against Northamptonshire

Bancroft Century Puts Gloucestershire on Verge of Victory Against Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire’s hopes of salvaging a draw against Gloucestershire hang in the balance after Cameron Bancroft’s unbeaten century propelled the visitors to a commanding position on day three at Wantage Road.

Bancroft, in his second stint with Gloucestershire, anchored the visitors’ second innings with a resolute 130 not out, guiding them to a formidable 319 for 5 declared. The Australian opener’s knock, coupled with Graeme van Buuren’s brisk 67, extended Gloucestershire’s overall lead to 557.

With almost four-and-a-half sessions remaining, Gloucestershire set their sights on dismissing Northamptonshire for a second time. However, Emilio Gay and Luke Procter provided stubborn resistance, frustrating the visitors’ bowlers. Gay, who registered his second successive half-century, shared a 106-run partnership with Procter (45 not out) as the hosts closed on 144 for 2.

Gloucestershire’s bowlers encountered a degree of movement from the home seamers, with Liam Patterson-White claiming three wickets in the morning session. The left-arm spinner, on loan from Nottinghamshire, dismissed Ben Charlesworth, Ollie Price, and Miles Hammond.

Despite losing wickets, Bancroft remained unyielding, steadily accumulating runs. James Bracey also contributed with a quickfire 34 before holing out to mid-off. Van Buuren, with his aggressive innings, maintained Gloucestershire’s momentum, hitting four maximums.

Northamptonshire’s chase got off to a shaky start as Gay survived two close calls before being trapped lbw by Ajeet Singh Dale. However, the left-hander responded with a flurry of attacking strokes, driving Zafar Gohar to the boundary on multiple occasions.

Gay’s luck ran out late in the day when he miscued a delivery from Marchant de Lange to midwicket. Nightwatchman George Scrimshaw joined Procter at the crease, helping Northamptonshire reach stumps without further loss.

With a target of 558 looming large, Northamptonshire face an uphill battle to avoid defeat. Gloucestershire, on the other hand, will be confident of securing their first Vitality County Championship win since 2022.

Hammond Century Powers Gloucestershire to 338 on Day One

Hammond Century Powers Gloucestershire to 338 on Day One

Gloucestershire’s Miles Hammond struck a magnificent century to propel his team to a formidable 338 for 8 on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

Hammond, who had not reached three figures in two years, played a scintillating knock of 112 off 133 deliveries, peppering the boundary with 17 fours and a towering six. His innings was the cornerstone of Gloucestershire’s solid batting performance, which saw them overcome the challenges posed by Northamptonshire’s new-look bowling attack.

Australian overseas signing Cameron Bancroft also made a valuable contribution, scoring a steady 53 at the top of the order. However, it was Indian international Siddarth Kaul who made the most immediate impact on his Northamptonshire debut, claiming 4 wickets for 58 in 23 testing overs.

Kaul’s wickets included the key scalps of Bancroft and James Bracey, who made 33. But despite his efforts, Gloucestershire managed to capitalize on some loose bowling in the afternoon session, with Hammond and skipper Graeme van Buuren (46) putting on a 67-run partnership.

Hammond eventually fell after reaching his century, caught at midwicket off the bowling of Liam Patterson-White. Van Buuren and Tom Price (23) also departed in quick succession, giving Northamptonshire a glimmer of hope.

However, Gloucestershire’s tail wagged, with Zafar Gohar and Marchant de Lange adding valuable runs. Kaul finished with four wickets, but Northamptonshire were unable to make further inroads as Gloucestershire closed the day in a strong position.

WA Extends Lead Over VIC in Sheffield Shield Thriller

WA Extends Lead Over VIC in Sheffield Shield Thriller

Western Australia (WA) has extended its lead over Victoria (VIC) in a thrilling Sheffield Shield encounter at Junction Oval. After dismissing VIC for a paltry 144, WA’s top-order faltered, but Cameron Bancroft and Josh Inglis steadied the ship with a 75-run partnership.

WA’s seamers, led by Cameron Gannon and Joel Paris, exploited the green-tinged surface to dismantle VIC’s batting lineup. Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, and Peter Handscomb fell cheaply, leaving Mitchell Perry and Matthew Short to rebuild.

Short counterattacked with a quickfire half-century, but his dismissal triggered a collapse. Will Sutherland and Perry departed in quick succession, and VIC’s lower order offered little resistance. Gannon and Haskett shared eight wickets, highlighting WA’s depth in the absence of injured quicks Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris, and Matt Kelly.

VIC fought back in WA’s second innings, with Fergus O’Neill dismissing Sam Whiteman, Jayden Goodwin, and Hilton Cartwright in quick succession. Aaron Hardie also fell cheaply, but Inglis counterpunched with a belligerent 45.

However, Todd Murphy provided a late twist, dismissing Inglis and Charlie Stobo to leave WA on 119 for 6. Bancroft remained unbeaten on 42, stretching WA’s lead to 219 runs.

With Tasmania already securing a place in the final, WA can leapfrog them with a victory and clinch a home final starting on March 21. VIC, on the other hand, need a draw to qualify. The match is poised for a thrilling finish as both teams battle for a spot in the decider.

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