Justin Langer admits something is amiss about Cameron Bancroft but it is selecting Australia’s bowling attack for the second Ashes Test and a “really flat” Lord’s pitch that have him stewing.
Bancroft tallied 15 runs in the series opener then missed out on a big score in two innings against Worcestershire last week, prompting some to suggest he could be on his final chance.
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The incumbent is fully expected to open alongside David Warner in the Test that starts on Wednesday, with his match-winning knock in the intra-squad match prior to Edgbaston still at the forefront of selectors’ minds.
Bancroft dropped two slips catches in Worcester, all the evidence Langer needed to know it was time for a chat to tell the opener to try to relax.
“It’s so unusual to see him drop catches. It’s possibly that his mind is not clear at the moment,” Langer said.
“But I’m sure he’ll be absolutely fine.
“I’ll catch up with him today … he is probably just trying a bit hard at the moment.
“He’s achieved that goal (of a Test return), he thought it might have taken a lot longer. He just has to re-set his goals, clear his mind and just relax a bit.”
Australia are weighing up whether to rejig the in-form incumbent attack by recalling Josh Hazlewood and/or Mitchell Starc as they pursue a 2-0 series lead.
Overlooking Hazlewood and Starc in Birmingham was one of the boldest decisions the current selection panel has made.
It proved a masterstroke as recalled Victorians James Pattinson and Peter Siddle played key roles with ball and bat to help the visitors triumph by 251 runs.
Langer agreed it would take some courage to break with tradition by changing a winning side.
“It’s going to be a really tight call between two of them or three,” Australia’s coach said.
“Whoever misses out, it’s going to be tough … they are all very, very good bowlers.
“I’m sure we will make a decision in the next day or so.”
Langer is keeping coy about his thoughts, keen to keep England guessing.
However horses for courses has been a key part of his blueprint to breaking Australia’s 18-year Ashes drought in England.
He and captain Tim Paine’s first look at the Lord’s Test strip gave them plenty to think about.
“The wicket is really interesting. It looks like it’s going to be a really flat wicket,” Langer said.
“It’s quite dry.”
Siddle’s relative lack of pace could put him at risk of being dropped in favour of Hazlewood, although it would be a huge call to axe somebody described by Langer as “almost the bowler of the game” after the first Test.
Mitchell Johnson recently suggested Starc should come into the XI for Pattinson because he’d be a potent point of difference on the Lord’s slope.
McBumble
Guest
Bancroft will be the Stoinis of the Ashes; an auto-pick despite failure and failure Harris did not deserve to lose his spot. burns should feel robbed once again. Warner is the guy who needs to shut his gob and score some runs. He is most likely on his last chance before being dropped. XI Warner Bancroft Uzzy Smithy - locked in for whole series Head - locked in for whole series Wade - locked in for next 2 tests Paine - locked in for series Cummins Pattinson Lyon Hazelwood We do not need an all rounder for this test or indeed the series. Send Mitch Marsh and his tom foolery back to WA. 2nd test likely a draw due to weather. AUS to win toss and bat. 5 down at lunch due to overhead conditions. Warner and Bancroft to go cheaply again poking at wide deliveries.
TJ
Guest
Don't think we should be making selections because we think it might rain. Wasn't there a bit of talk before the 1st test about rain and barely any play was lost? Starc or Hazlewood in for Siddle and leave the rest.
anon
Roar Pro
Langer needs to stop with the games. Bancroft doesn't deserve to be in the side. Get Starc and Hazlewood in there. At the very least Starc if Hazlewood isn't 100%.
Peter Warrington
Guest
so what is our experience of bowling on flat decks with heavy skies? maybe Sydney the only thing that approximates that? pick the NSW boys then???
Pierro
Roar Rookie
3.5 days though peter maybe less due to rain certainly no more than 4 but more than certain less . just dont know if two spinners on damp overhead conditions failing to grip the ball will work. Langer has shocked me saying its a flat deck. Thats a nightmare for england when Woakes has an average of 8 there on lateral moving decks for the most part.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Limited amounts of spin at both ends could be deadly How about: paine Warner Smith Head Wade Labu Paine Patto Cummo Starc Lyon Siddle Paine can take the shine off no wuckers
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Ive just written an article about the match being a potentially very shortened one. I assumed a greener deck though. It surprises me that theyve gone for a flat deck. I proposed going for no spinner and an all rounder with partial spin in labauschange and resting Lyon on basis of a 3.5 day test match but the flat deck means its harder to go without lyon.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Peter just submitted an article on this with 4 quicks. Largely because of the rain coming . its going to be a 3.5 day test match. Most of the first day lost to rain. Langer is on it. What I didn’t know before I wrote this article is its a flat deck. So you’d need labauschagne but over 3.5 days could you drop lyon and do the unthinkable. The flat deck has me back to a neutral though . No green deck apparently but 3.5 days. It has draw written all over it .
Peter Warrington
Guest
Go 4 quicks and lion and labuschagne and hit them when they are down