Australia‘s Test captain, Pat Cummins, has reached out to Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris to affirm that they are still part of the national team’s plans despite being omitted following David Warner‘s retirement.
With Steven Smith moved to the opening position and Cameron Green returning at No. 4 in the upcoming Test against West Indies in Adelaide, Bancroft and Harris, both specialist openers, have found themselves out of the playing XI. Matt Renshaw has been named as the reserve batter.
Bancroft, the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season and currently in the same position this season, has been in impressive form. Harris, on the other hand, holds a central contract and was part of the Ashes tour last year as the reserve batter.
Cummins stated in Adelaide, “We love what they both are doing in first-class cricket. We love what they bring to any side they’re playing in. They’re doing all the right things. Unfortunately, they both just missed out on this one. So [the] message was ‘don’t change’.”
He further added, “In international cricket, there’s always injuries or these guys [the incumbents] aren’t going to be around forever. Marcus and Cam are still relatively young, as is Renners. So once that opening comes up at some point, any one of them we’re confident can jump straight in and do a really good job.”
Cummins initially seemed hesitant about reshuffling the batting order after Warner’s retirement, but he now sees the sense in the move. Smith, who expressed his preference for batting higher up the order, is now set to open alongside Khawaja, allowing Green to return to a more natural position for him.
The captain noted a visible change in Smith’s demeanor, saying, “I’ve never seen him as happy and as energetic as I’ve seen him around the nets the last couple of days. He can’t wait to get out there. Also think the new ball, maybe [there will be] a few more scoring options. It’s something that excites him.”
Green’s return will also impact the fielding setup, with Usman Khawaja moving to first slip, followed by Smith and Mitchell Marsh. Green will take up the gully position, where he has made a significant impact with his catching abilities. Additionally, Green provides Cummins with another bowling option, strengthening the team’s attack.
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