To reassure Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris, Australian captain Pat Cummins contacted the overlooked openers, emphasizing that they are still in contention for Test selection following David Warner’s retirement.
Initially considered as replacements for David Warner as openers, the team decided to stick with the current lineup, promoting Steve Smith and bringing Cameron Green back at no. 4. Matt Renshaw is also selected as a backup opener for the upcoming series against West Indies.
Unfortunately, Bancroft and Harris face a setback with their recent exclusion. Bancroft hasn’t played a Test since 2019, and Harris last played in 2022 during the Ashes series at home.
Pat Cummins Gave An Honest Verdict On Cameron Bancroft’s Cricket Future
It has to be noted that Bancroft scored the most runs in the last Sheffield Shield season and is still leading in the current season. On the other hand, Harris has a central contract but hasn’t been preferred recently.
Despite this setback, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has assured both Cameron Bancroft and Harris that they are still in consideration for the Test team. Cummins praised their performances in local cricket and encouraged them by saying, ‘keep doing what you’re doing.’
“Obviously private phone calls, but no real surprises,” Pat Cummins said ahead of the first Test against West Indies. “We love what they both are doing in first-class cricket. We love what they bring to any side they’re playing in. They’re doing all the right things. Unfortunately, they both just missed out on this one. So [the] message was ‘don’t change’.
He added: “In international cricket, there’s always injuries or these guys [the incumbents] aren’t going to be around forever. Marcus and Cam are still relatively young, as is Renners. So once that opening comes up at some point, any one of them we’re confident can jump straight in and do a really good job,”
Meanwhile, the first Test match between Australia and West Indies is set to kick off on January 17. Australia, having recently secured a clean sweep in the three-match series against Pakistan, is in high spirits and eager to pursue another series victory.
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