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George Bailey, Australia’s chair of selectors, has
dispelled rumours that the 2018 ball-tampering controversy had anything to do
with Cameron Bancroft’s exclusion from the Test team.
Following David Warner’s retirement, Bancroft was once
again the highest run scorer in the Sheffield Shield. However, with Steven
Smith starting at first base and Matt Renshaw designated as the backup batter,
Bancroft was unable to secure a spot against the West Indies.
Following his ban, Bancroft has participated in two
Test matches against England in 2019. However, his remarks in an interview from
2021 regarding the fast bowlers’ need to have understood what was going on
prompted them to release a joint statement stating they were unaware of the
preparations.
“Categorically, no,” Bailey said as to
whether there were any lingering issues from that time which impacted his
selection. “I’ve shared this with Cameron on a number of occasions. It has
never at any stage been discussed from the panel’s perspective. It’s purely a
cricketing decision.
“There is not a member of the team that would
have an issue with Cam playing, we certainly don’t have an issue with it. I’d
be disappointed if people were looking to that as a reason. All I can do is
reiterate to you and to Cam that’s not the case; never has been, and never will
be.”
Bailey agreed that Bancroft’s run total made a
compelling case, but they currently thought Renshaw was the greatest batter
ahead of him. Marcus Harris, who has a central contract and was the backup
batter during the Ashes, should consider himself unfortunate, he added.
“Cam’s record over the last couple of years has
been phenomenal and it’s made this decision really challenging, a line-ball
call,” Bailey said. “He is banging down the door. Think there’s a
number of players who are banging down the door and that’s great.
“As excited as Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green
are, you know there’s always guys on the other side of the coin who are
shattered and who are working their backside off. All those guys know what it’s
like to be part of that Test team, all of them are striving to get back
there…and there will be opportunities going forward.”