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Bancroft finds balance to fire Perth

Returned batsman's pursuit of yoga during ban has helped him find a relaxed approach that is translating into red-hot form

Cameron Bancroft's red-hot form in the KFC BBL can be credited to a more relaxed approach as perennial contenders Perth Scorchers look to remain alive in the finals race.

That's the view of Scorchers teammate Hilton Cartwright, who heaped praise on the 26-year-old for rediscovering his form with the bat following the end of his nine-month suspension for his part in the Cape Town ball-tampering affair.

Bancroft has punched out half-centuries in his past two knocks, including a match-winning 87 not out from 61 balls as he batted through the innings against the Sydney Sixers on Sunday.

"He always was in the moment, but he's always very 'take things as they come'," Cartwright said.

"He's not really fazed by anything, whether it's good, bad or in-between. He always was like that, but sometimes he'd get caught up in bits and pieces at training, but he's very much a relaxed mindset 24/7 now.

"He was very intense and he sort of had his moments where he'd switch on and off and relax a bit, but I think yoga has really taught him to be in a zone element all the time rather than chopping and changing a bit.

"At games, away from games, he's got that switch-off period now."

Scorchers overpower Sixers at home

After starting his BBL|08 campaign with scores of two, 19 and 24, Bancroft has been quick to give fans a reminder of the ability that saw him earn eight Test appearances.

His knock against the Sixers at Optus Stadium featured eight boundaries and a six, with a four off the bowling of Tom Curran sealing victory with four balls to spare.

"I was just so happy, obviously for us to win, but I was so happy for him as well after everything he's been through," Cartwright said.

"The vibe he would have got, I had goosebumps for him more so than anything. The crowd was going nuts.

Bancroft blasts away Stars at MCG

"It's definitely one of my snapshots, seeing his face when he hit those winning runs. You could see the joy in his face."

Bancroft has three half-centuries from 14 Test innings with a best of 82 not out.

While Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns are vying to partner Marcus Harris at the top of the order in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane later this month, Bancroft is leaving nothing to chance as he looks to force his way back into the Test team.


"I'm not surprised (by Bancroft's form) because he's hit about three and a half million balls in the last 6-8 months," Cartwright quipped.

"The amount of work he's done on his technique and changing things has been phenomenal and I'm not surprised he's got the rewards for it."

The Scorchers sit seventh on the BBL ladder with a 3-5 win-loss record and will next face Hobart Hurricanes at home on Friday.