Honours even as Bancroft digs in

If a selection criteria for the Ashes tour is batting for long periods against the Dukes ball, then Cameron Bancroft made a timely statement when returning to JLT Sheffield Shield cricket following suspension.

Bancroft scored at less than one run an over to defy a strong NSW bowling line-up and end the day unbeaten on 73 in a marathon 235-ball knock at Bankstown Oval.

He batted watchfully to reach his half century off 140 balls in his first Shield match since being banned for nine months after using sandpaper on the ball in the Test series against South Africa last March.

Despite Bancroft's obdurate knock, the match is evenly poised with WA 5-183 after a rain-marred day one.

The visitors failed to build on a strong platform as Bancroft and Sam Whiteman (66), who was also returning to Sheffield Shield action following a long injury absence, posted 119 for the first wicket.

But Whiteman's dismissal saw WA lose 5-49 with Trent Copeland (2-48) returning the best figures for the second-placed Blues.

Bancroft's concentration remained unwavering despite the regular fall of wickets in the final session.

The 26-year-old did ride his luck on one occasion with Harry Conway missing a chance on the boundary when the opener was on 36.

"I felt I battled really hard, and I felt like they made it really hard for me too, but that is Shield cricket," Bancroft said.

"I felt like they really tried to swing the (Dukes) ball in the last session, and obviously that is hard when you start your innings.

"When the ball was put in the right areas it made for a really tough test between bat and ball.

"NSW bowled beautifully after tea, they came really hard at us and you could feel the intensity lift in the game."

Fourth-placed WA, who are missing a long list of players due to injuries and international commitments, lined up with two debutants in leg-spinner Liam O'Connor and allrounder Brad Hope.