Mitchell Marsh insists a big score is just around the corner for under-pressure opener Cameron Bancroft
Bangers isn't mashed yet: Marsh and Hussey
Mitchell Marsh says the mood of his state teammate Cameron Bancroft hasn't changed despite the rookie opener being unable to secure his Test spot in the first four games of this Magellan Ashes Series.
Bancroft's dismissal for 27 on day four at the MCG saw his Test average drop below 30 for the first time since his match-sealing 82 not out in the first Test in Brisbane a month ago.
Frustratingly for Bancroft, it's the third innings in a row he's been dismissed between 25 and 30 having posted scores of 26 on Boxing Day and 25 in his only innings in Perth.
The right-hander has faced more than 40 balls in five of his seven innings in the series, indicating he's capable at this level despite posting only one big score.
But with the man he discarded in the side, Queensland opener Matthew Renshaw, currently on the outer along with two other men to have scored Test hundreds this year – Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell – competition for batting spots is strong ahead of the four-Test series in South Africa in March.
"The good thing about Cameron is even though he's missed out on big scores, he's getting starts," Marsh said.
"Which means he has the ability to get through new-ball spells. He's been in great form, he's hitting the ball really well in the nets and a big score is not far away from him.
"He's one of the most mentally strong not just cricketers but people I've ever met.
"He's stayed the same. He's a different cat, he has his little things that he does. He's been great around the group and that won’t change for him."
Former Test batsman Mike Hussey called on selectors to keep the faith with the Western Australian and denied the right-hander needed a big score in the fifth Test in Sydney next week to secure his spot for the South African tour.
"I thought he's looked really good most of the times he's been out there," Hussey told cricket.com.au.
"Whether he needs a score (in Sydney) or not, for his own self-confidence I think he'd love a score and certainly to give confidence to the selectors to stick with him.
"I'd like them to stick with him because he has shown he's good enough to play at the level. But he would like a score, there's no question about that."
Speaking after his opening partner David Warner dominated their 122-run partnership on Boxing Day, Bancroft agreed that he needed to contribute more and be more fearless with his approach.
"I wouldn't blame people at all for thinking that," he told ABC Grandstand.
"From a team point of view, (a century stand) is a good start, isn't it? Personally, it's not good enough.
"I take accountability for that, 100 per cent. My job is to make big runs. I am not going to shy away from the fact that I missed out on a great opportunity to do that.
"I just felt I was a little bit tentative, I could have backed myself a lot more. If I did that I would have created some scoring opportunities, almost put them under a bit more pressure rather than me reacting to what they are doing. If there is one thing I would change going forward, it would be that.
"It has been a great learning curve but watching some of the guys in our batting line-up, your Warners and Smiths particularly, just shows how much more hard work I have to put in to be able to be anywhere near the calibre of those guys."
2017-18 International Fixtures
Magellan Ashes Series
Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.
England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard
Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard
Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets
Gillette ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets
Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets
Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21