Cameron Bancroft’s lean start to the Sheffield Shield season has continued after he fell for just 12 at the WACA Ground against South Australia, but Cameron Green helped dig Western Australia out of trouble.
WA were looking wobbly at 4-94 after winning the toss and electing to bat, but important knocks from Green (95 not out) and Marcus Stoinis (79) ensured the home side ended day one well placed at 5-296.
Bancroft, who missed selection for the second Test against Pakistan but is on standby as a concussion sub, fell for 12 off 47 balls after fending a catch to Jake Weatherald at leg gully.
It’s the fourth time this Shield season in seven digs that Bancroft has fallen in that manner, leaving his average at just 11.5 this campaign.
Green started his career primarily as a bowler, but has morphed into a talented all-rounder.
The 20-year-old can’t bowl at the moment while he recovers from a back injury, but his recent form with the bat has been superb.
Green scored 87 not out and 121 not out in a Shield game against Queensland earlier this month, and he posted a match-winning knock of 86 in the one-day cup to help WA reach the final.
The right-hander cracked 16 boundaries on Friday, with his unbeaten knock putting WA in a strong position.
Stoinis is backing Green to notch a century when play resumes on Saturday.
“It’s only five runs. I don’t want to jinx him, but he should be right,” he said.
“He’s going to be a superstar. Once he’s back bowling, it will be pretty exciting.”
Stoinis was also on track for a century until he was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding from Wes Agar.
Bancroft was lucky to survive on 11 when he edged Agar behind and wicketkeeper Alex Carey dropped the chance. Carey should have gobbled up the catch after managing to get both gloves to the ball as it sailed shoulder-height to his right.
Australia’s ODI wicketkeeper would have been breathing a huge sigh of relief a short time later when Bancroft fended Joe Mennie (2-67) to short leg and Weatherald snared a sharp catch.
Shaun Marsh (41) looked set for a big knock before Chadd Sayers (2-92) snared a reflex return catch, and WA were in trouble at 4-94 when Ashton Turner (four) fell a short time later.
The 122-run partnership between Stoinis and Green then turned the match WA’s way.
© AAP
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