'It's definitely in me': Bancroft opens up on Test desire

He seems to be the forgotten man in the conversation of who should succeed David Warner and now Usman Khawaja, but former Test opener Cameron Bancroft has again reminded the Australian cricket fraternity of his undeniable talent.

Sent into bat in the biggest game in the domestic summer with Western Australia hoping to break a 23-year title drought, the 29-year-old proceeded to peel off a century of the highest calibre across the next six hours, going to stumps on day one of the Marsh Sheffield Shield final unbeaten on 135 with his side in complete control at the WACA.

Not only did the right-hander dominate the bowling from ball one – which he crunched to the fielder at mid-off from the bowling of Scott Boland – but he didn't offer a single chance during a remarkable display of concentration and determination.

His cover driving was superb, his straight driving even better, racing to his half century in 83 balls before defying Victoria for 259 deliveries across the remainder of the day.

Dropped from the Test side during the 2019 Ashes series in England following four consecutive scores under 20 on his return from suspension, Bancroft said after stumps on day one he still harbours a "burning desire" to get back into that Australian team.

With five centuries across the past two Sheffield Shield seasons at an average of 45 in 15 matches, Bancroft should well and truly be in the frame should Australia require another opener.

"Of course, I'd love to play for Australia again, that's a burning desire inside of me," Bancroft said.

"All I can do is bat well and put myself in a position to be able to make runs and be consistent and learn and ride the waves of cricket as it comes.

"But yeah, it's definitely in me and I guess all I can do is just play good cricket."

Bancroft said he has ironed out a few kinks since his last Test match at Lord's in August 2019, where he made 13 and 16 as Australia batted out a draw before going on to retain the Ashes over the next three Tests for the first time in England since 2001.

"It's just nature that you evolve with the times and your game improves," he said.

"No doubt, the person I was, the player I was in 2019 is very different to what I was today, that happens for every player, so we'll just keep riding the waves, enjoying cricket, keep batting well and we'll see."

While age is not on his side should selectors opt for a longer-term approach when Warner and Khawaja retire, with other candidates in Henry Hunt (25 years old), Bryce Street (24) and Will Pucovski (24) all younger, his average is marginally higher than the first two over the past two summers and Khawaja has proved age is no barrier when selecting the Test team.

Marcus Harris, who currently holds the position as reserve opener, is also the same age as the West Australian.

Even his opposition this week couldn't go past the class of Bancroft's Shield final ton, but Victorian bowling coach David Saker is still holding out hope he's only "one good ball away" from being out.

"He hardly played a missed, it was a fantastic innings and he's in some good form, he made some good runs against us last week on a much tougher wicket to bat on," Saker said after stumps.

"That was a tough day, we didn't get the ball to shift much at all and the wicket looked pretty good to bat on."

The Marsh Sheffield Shield final will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports, as well as streamed free on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app