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Michael Clarke Backs Bancroft In Absence Of Injured Cameron Green For India Tests

Cameron Bancroft in Sheffield Shield cricket [Source: @cricketcomau/x]Cameron Bancroft in Sheffield Shield cricket [Source: @cricketcomau/x]

Michael Clarke has given his take on Australia’s opening combination dilemma for the upcoming five-match Test series against India at home. Earlier this year, middle-order veteran Steve Smith opened the batting for Australia alongside Usman Khawaja after the retirement of David Warner. However, it has been widely reported that Smith will be moving back to his regular number four position for India Tests.

While Cameron Green was considered as one of the potential Test openers for Australia, the all-rounder has been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series considering he recently underwent a successful spin surgery to tender his back injury.

Michael Clarke backs Cameron Bancroft as AUS opener

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes Cameron Bancroft should be considered for selection as Australia’s opener over rising star Sam Konstas, even though the latter recently plundered twin tons in a single Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales.

While speaking on the Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast, Clarke said:

“I think he's (Sam Konstas) a very talented player and I love that he’s started the season very well but just because you get two hundreds doesn't mean you jump someone that's scored 12 hundreds in the past four years, in a Cameron Bancroft.”

Michael Clarke also believes that Australian skipper Pat Cummins and the team management must have already made the decision and will soon be announcing their opening batter in time for the series against India. Australia’s 2015 World Cup-winning captain stated:

“That decision would have been made probably... as soon as Cameron Green was ruled out and we've decided to pick a specialist opener, I think the decision would have been made there.”

Compatible with Michael Clarke’s claims, Cameron Bancroft has emerged among the leading run-makers of the past two Sheffield Shield seasons. During the 2022-23 tournament, Bancroft made 945 runs in 20 innings spanning 11 matches at a splendid average of 59.06. In 2023-24, the 31-year-old hauled 778 runs in 17 innings at an average of 48.62, with three tons and four fifties in the process.

Young Sam Konstas, on the other hand, pounded scores of 152 and 105 in two innings of a single Sheffield Shield 2024-25 game for New South Wales against South Australia in Sydney.