Bancroft ready for Tests: Hazlewood

Emerging Western Australia opener Cameron Bancroft is ready to take the step up to Test cricket, according to pace bowler Josh Hazlewood.

Bancroft, 23, was poised to make his Test debut last October in Bangladesh, but the tour was postponed due to security fears.

He is coming off a couple of productive Australian summers in the Sheffield Shield, averaging 47 in 2014-15 and 45 last season.

WA teammate Shaun Marsh, who is battling a hamstring injury in a bid to push to his Test case in Tuesday's Sheffield Shield opener, and Queensland's Joe Burns are other players vying for a start at the top of the order.

A berth for the opening Test against the Proteas, starting on November 3, would see Bancroft become the 445th Australian Test cricketer at his home ground, the WACA.

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Bancroft has started the season in reasonable form, averaging 44 across six domestic one-day innings.

He has notched two half centuries, including a knock of 56 off 60 balls against NSW on Wednesday, when Hazlewood bowled at the right-hander.

"He looked pretty good," Hazlewood said.

"I haven't seen much of him through the tournament but, today (Wednesday), he definitely batted really well.

"He was obviously pretty close (to playing a Test) when we were going to tour Bangladesh and got put on the backburner a bit.

"But he's definitely someone that would go well in Australian colours."

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State coach Justin Langer said Bancroft was "hitting the ball as well as I've ever seen him", but warned against judging him on Matador performances.

"We sort of experimented with him a bit in the middle order," Langer explained, "because we're trying to get him to be more of an adaptable sort of player.

"Hopefully he'll get the benefit from that down the track.

"He's had a couple of really good seasons. This time last year he was selected to go to Bangladesh, but then that was obviously cancelled.

"And he deserved that opportunity I thought. Then some other guys got the opportunity, Joe Burns and Uzzy (Khawaja) played beautifully last summer so that's what happens when you give a sucker an even break isn't it."

Bancroft did get to wear an Australian uniform once last season, but didn't get a proper opportunity to make a mark.

He came to the crease with just two balls remaining in a T20 game against India last January but didn't face a ball.

Bancroft did manage to record one stat, taking a catch as a wicketkeeper.

Asked if he thought Bancroft was ready for a Test start, Hazlewood said: "I think so.

"He's had a good couple of Shield seasons.

"He scores a lot of runs and puts a high value on his wicket, so he's a good young player."