Watson defends Bancroft over spill

Australia’s stand-in skipper Shane Watson admitted the missed stumping of India’s Suresh Raina proved to be the turning point in last night’s final-ball defeat, but defended the selection of Cameron Bancroft as wicketkeeper for the series finale.

India required 74 runs from 44 balls for victory when Raina danced down the pitch to the leg-spin of Cameron Boyce, only for the ball to spin sharply and bounce out of Bancroft’s gloves on debut in front of 34,527 vocal fans.

Quick Single: India sweep series at the SCG

Raina went on to slam 45 runs from 24 balls, including a boundary off the final ball to secure a 3-0 series sweep and the No.1 ranking in Twenty20 internationals.

"It probably worked out that way," Watson said when asked if it was the major turning point. "But that’s the way the game goes.

"There’s so many turning points all around the game, you could say that about a lot of things that happened throughout the course of the match.

"It was unfortunate, that was ball was a beautiful ball. The ball turned which makes it challenging for the ‘keeper as well.

"As I’ve seen plenty of times, whether it’s for India or the IPL, Suresh Raina certainly knows how to bat incredibly well and get his team home." 

WATCH: Highlights on India's thrilling last-ball win in Sydney

While Watson has defended the debutant, former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has questioned Bancroft's selection over his more experienced peers.

"I'm a bit shocked with the decision to play Bancroft, because Tim Paine had a really good Big Bash, and Peter Nevill's keeping has been outstanding," Haddin told the Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.

"My feeling is you should pick the best wicketkeeper, because you've got to take those half chances.

"But the chairman of selectors (Rod Marsh) is a wicketkeeper. I don't really know his rationale behind it."

The 23-year-old Bancroft – who represented his country behind the stumps at the Under-19s level – was called up to be the Perth Scorchers’ wicketkeeper in the fifth edition of the KFC Big Bash League after first-choice gloveman Sam Whiteman suffered a a season-ending finger injury prior to the team’s opening match.

With Premier Cricket experience ‘keeping to veteran spinner Brad Hogg – still regarded as one of the hardest spinners in the country to pick – Bancroft was seen as a suitable replacement and made his BBL debut against the Adelaide Strikers last year.

He finished the season equal with former Australia ‘keeper Tim Paine on nine dismissals and behind Melbourne Stars’ Peter Handscomb (13).

"For me, ‘keeping was something I always did as a junior," Bancroft told cricket.com.au during BBL|05. 

"I think in Twenty20 cricket one of the biggest things is being able to pick Hoggy.

"I was lucky enough to play in the same club team as him so I've had that up my sleeve.

"It's been nice to change things up, you certainly watch the ball differently to what you do in the field and I think that helps your batting in a way."

Speaking after his man-of-the-match performance at the SCG, Watson said Bancroft had earned the call-up to the national squad to replace Matthew Wade who made his way over to New Zealand to prepare for the Chappell-Hadlee ODI Series starting on Wednesday.

"I think Cameron Bancroft has done an excellent job for the Scorchers," Watson said.

"He had a good season and he batted very well against the Sydney Thunder out at Spotless Stadium, so in the end he performed and did a really good job. 

WATCH: Bancroft thumps Thunder

"I haven’t seen his ‘keeping that much, but he also saved some crucial balls (tonight) as well.

"It’s a tough game. That ball also spun out of the rough. It was the first ball that really spun all night as well.

"You can’t just expose a guy on debut for missing a chance. That happens.

"Even guys like Brad Haddin who played all the way through his career, it happens at times.

"So I would never expose a young guy. I think he’s done a great job to be able to get picked and he performed when he needed to.

"With the gloves (tonight), he did a really good job outside of that (missed stumping)."