WA Bowling Coach Beau Casson believes Cameron Bancroft still has more to give after overcoming a horror slump and notching up his first century for the summer.
The West Australian opener went from being a top prospect to fill Australia’s test opener vacancy to falling out of form and favour for the position.
In the lead up to the century against South Australia, Bancroft has failed to score over 50 runs in an inning, including five ducks and five single-digit scores in Shield and the Australia A series against India.
His fifth duck was made in the first innings against South Australia, however, his fortune quickly turned around in the second innings where he delivered a defiant and resilient knock to finish on 105 not-out.
Reflecting on this moment, Casson described the changerooms as ‘emotional’ when Bancroft finally got to raise the bat this season.
“It’s been well documented and everyone publicly has realised how well he’s played over the last couple of years and unfortunately the opportunity didn’t go his way for higher honours. He’s worked through some tough stuff on his own,” he told SportFM.
“The great thing about him, work ethic wise, he’s not going to leave anything to chance and he was working incredibly hard to try and turn his fortune around.
“He’s had a slice of bad luck here and a slice of good luck there and as we know the game can be quite fickle and once you get one of those going your way and some momentum in your innings, it’s exactly what sometimes you need.
“I’m sure one of the most satisfying hundreds for Cameron. It’s pretty ridiculous how many he’s made and everyone in the squad was just incredibly happy for him.
“You can only begin to imagine some of the things that would have been going through his mind in terms of all the selection and headaches and how much scrutiny was on him but incredibly proud of him and happy for him and long may it continue for him and WA cricket.”
Since being dropped mid-Ashes series in England five years ago, Bancroft has continued to improve his game and post strong performances in at domestic level.
Despite arguably being snubbed for a spot in the Test Squad last summer, Cricket Australia recognised his performance as the Shield’s top scorer, naming him the Male Domestic Player of the Year for 2024.
Casson believes despite his horror slump in form, Bancroft still has more to offer the Australian set up and that his journey is not over yet.
“We’ve all had speed bumps and bruises from the game, but to be able to come back, and particularly within the West Australian environment, the passion that he has playing for WA,” he said.
“The standards in which he trains, his ability to be able to show the younger generation how to go about it and what it takes to be a professional cricketer, is a lot of the things that regular people don’t get to see in here.
“We look at the runs, which once again, is absolutely incredible, but all the little things that other people don’t get to see is something that we’re very grateful for, and no doubt, he keeps banging the door down and keeps being the premier batsman in first class cricket.
“I think opportunities for him, but for anyone, will always be out there, so we’re very grateful to have him back, and wonderful to see him raising his bat and getting that helmet off and showing how proud he is to be a West Australian.”