Sydney: Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft is set for his Test debut and wicket-keeper Tim Paine returns in a shock selection in Australia’s squad named Friday for the first two Tests against England.
Bancroft gets his chance after scoring heavily in this season’s domestic Sheffield Shield competition, and replaces Matthew Renshaw as David Warner’s opening batting partner.
Paine however, is the selection bolter and gets the nod over Matthew Wade and Peter Nevill, despite few appearances for his Tasmania state side behind Wade this season.
National selector Trevor Hohns said Bancroft deserved a place in the squad. “Cameron has been a player of interest to us for some time now,” Hohns said. “He is a very talented and tough cricketer who shows a good temperament for Test cricket. He has thoroughly earned and deserves his call-up.”
Paine meanwhile last played for Australia in 2010. “Tim was identified as an international player a long time ago and has always been renowned as a very good glovesman, also performing well for us whenever he has represented Australia in any format,” Hohns pointed out.
Shaun Marsh, 34, also returns again to the Australian squad and will bat at No.6. “Shaun is playing very well at the moment in domestic cricket. He is a versatile player who can slot in anywhere in the batting order and will add valuable experience to the batting line-up,” Hohns pointed out.
Renshaw and Wade were omitted from the Test squad with Hohns saying Wade was left out because of ‘inconsistent performances with the gloves and lack of form with the bat’.
The squad: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Chadd Sayers and Mitchell Starc.
Agence France-Presse
