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Double ton gives Cam Bancroft one foot in the door for Ashes selection

14th November, 2017
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Cameron Bancroft has made his case for an Ashes call-up almost irresistible after producing an unbeaten double century in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground.

But the news wasn’t so good for fellow Ashes hopeful Jake Lehmann, who made just 13 before being caught at slip.

Bancroft scored an unbeaten 228 to lift WA to a formidable 7(dec)-514 on a batter-friendly deck.

In reply, the Redbacks ended day two at 6-322, with Jake Weatherald (152 off 180 balls) the star of their innings.

South Australia duo Alex Carey (26no) and Joe Mennie (21no) will resume on Wednesday.

Bancroft had 161 runs to his name by the end of play on Monday.

And he reached his double century shortly before lunch on day two after taking spinner Travis Head to the cleaners with a series of boundaries.

Bancroft has now produced scores of 76no, 86, and 228no in his past three Shield innings, with his hot form firmly thrusting him into the selection frame for the Ashes opener at the Gabba, starting November 23.

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“He’s done everything you can do,” WA coach Justin Langer said of Bancroft’s Ashes hopes.

“He was brilliant last week in Sydney. And he’s been on the field the whole game again.

“It was a great tribute to his concentration, and his athleticism.

“He’s so fit. He’s so tough physically and mentally. And by scoring those runs, he gives the selectors something to think about, doesn’t he?”

Test selector Greg Chappell was on hand to watch Bancroft’s latest heroics. He would have also seen Bancroft take a sharp, diving catch as wicketkeeper to remove Travis Head for 18.

Bancroft’s 513-minute, 351-ball innings featured 22 fours and three sixes.

The right-hander can open, bat at No.6, or become Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman.

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But with Hilton Cartwright favoured to be picked at No.6 and Peter Nevill set for a recall to don the gloves, it seems current Test opener Matthew Renshaw is the man most under pressure.

Renshaw hasn’t made it past 20 in his past nine innings – a worrying form slump that could prove terminal to his Ashes hopes.

In Queensland’s current clash with NSW, Renshaw made just 16 and one against a depleted Blues bowling attack.

Lehmann, the son of Australia coach Darren Lehmann, had the chance to bolster his own Ashes prospects for the vacant No.6 spot.

But he lasted just 16 balls before he edged Jhye Richardson to slip.

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