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Former Australian Test opener and Australian coach Justin Langer has backed WA opening batsman Cameron Bancroft to make a return to Test cricket, more than three years after his most recent outing at the highest level.
Speaking to Sports Breakfast on Monday, Langer named Bancroft as a potential long term replacement for David Warner or Usman Khawaja in the Test side, with both turning 36 later this year.
"I'm definitely not discounting Cameron Bancroft," Langer said.
"I thought the way he ended the season, that hundred in the Sheffield Shield Final was elite. He's got so many things going for him, he's incredibly professional, has brilliant concentration. I wouldn't write him off yet."
Bancroft played ten Tests for Australia between 2017-19, averaging 26.23 with just three half centuries, playing all of his Tests against England and South Africa.
Bancroft scored two centuries in his final three Shield outings last summer, including a sublime 141 in the Sheffield Shield Final against Victoria to lead his side to a drought breaking Shield title.
Langer also identified Queenslander Matt Renshaw as another opening option in the longest format, like Bancroft having previously featured at Test level in 11 Tests between 2016 and 2018.
"Matt Renshaw is a good player, he played young. That's the exciting thing when you see young guys like Renshaw and Bancroft who started early," he said.
"The trend usually of the really good Australian players is they get a chance early, they go away and improve and get better."
Langer, who played 105 Tests for his country and coached Australia from 2018 until February this year will join Channel Seven commentary team for this summer, which features Tests against West Indies and South Africa.
IMAGE: Fox Sports.