Bancroft loses form at wrong time for Test recall

Cameron Bancroft, the dominant Sheffield Shield batter of the past two seasons, must be suddenly wondering if his Test career is over.

The Western Australian opener could not have been more impressive in recent summers, putting himself in contention for a long-awaited recall.

But when there was a genuine opportunity to return to Australia's top-order for the first time since the 2019 Ashes, Bancroft's form faltered and selectors just couldn't consider him.

The start of this season has been a nightmare for the 31-year-old, averaging 3.62 through his first eight innings.

Bancroft was the leading Shield run-scorer in 2022-23, and was second last season to Tasmania allrounder Beau Webster.

But Nathan McSweeney, who has never opened before in the Shield, surged with a bullet this summer to overtake Bancroft and Marcus Harris in Test considerations.

The Queenslander, who moved to South Australia in 2021 for more opportunities, will be Usman Khawaja's opening partner in the first Test against India in Perth.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey felt for Bancroft and Harris, as well as NSW's teenaged opener Sam Konstas, after the Australia A bat-off.

"I actually think Cameron Bancroft is still batting really well, just with no runs," Bailey said on Sunday.

"It's a tough one because whenever the information is first given, it potentially feels hollow that they've been overlooked again.

"It's just to be really clear to them that by not being selected isn't us saying that we don't think you're a good player, we just have to make a decision on who we think is going to fit that role best."

Bancroft was overlooked in January after David Warner's retirement when selectors opted to play Steve Smith as an opener so they could move allrounder Cameron Green up to No.4.

But Green won't play at all this summer as he recovers from back surgery, with Smith shifting back to the spot where he has scored the majority of his 9685 Test runs.

Australia's white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has been included as the spare batter in the Test squad.

Bailey insists Inglis won't be considered as an opener, or as a replacement for Alex Carey with the gloves.

"This is clearly just a batting decision," Bailey said.

"No pressure on Kez (Carey); he has been in wonderful form, too.

"If Josh gets an opportunity, we're really excited to see how he goes."