Quantcast

It would be crazy to axe Bancroft: Langer

Opener can become 'the heart' of the Australian team and should keep his place in SA, says Justin Langer

Cricket great and WA coach Justin Langer says it would be "crazy" for selectors not to stick with Cameron Bancroft for the upcoming Qantas Test tour of South Africa.

Bancroft's spot in the Test side is under threat following a lean Magellan Ashes series in which he averaged just 25.57 with the bat.

A duck in the final Test didn't help his cause, but he has received strong backing from coach Darren Lehmann and skipper Steve Smith in the aftermath of the series.


Bancroft, who is coached at state level by Langer, looked vulnerable against the short ball during the Ashes and there will be no place for him to hide against a South African pace attack featuring Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel.

Steyn injured his foot in the recent Test win over India but hopes to be back for the four-Test series against Australia, starting on March 1.

Langer is confident Bancroft can iron out any flaws before the tour of South Africa and has urged national selectors to retain their faith in the 25-year-old.

"That's absolute rubbish," Langer said of the talk that Bancroft should be replaced.

"They've just won 4-0 in an Ashes series.

"He's had two 100-run opening partnerships and a 50-run opening partnership (with David Warner).

"There's massive upside to Cameron Bancroft."

Langer described Bancroft as the heartbeat of the WA side and said the left-hander could become the same influential figure within the Australian set-up if given the chance.

"He's tough, he works his backside off and he gets on and does the job," said Langer.

"There's no frills about him. He has to go to South Africa.

"It would be absolutely crazy after that brilliant series - and really close-knit, closely-gelled team - for Cameron Bancroft not to go to South Africa."

Bancroft will make his Perth Scorchers return in Thursday night's clash with the Sydney Thunder at Spotless Stadium.