Western Australia’s hopes for a successful three-peat on the ongoing Sheffield Shield against Tasmania have taken a hit as opening batter Cameron Bancroft has been ruled out with concussion.
The 31-year-old Bancroft fell off his cycle on Sunday following which the cycle skidded off the unfavourable wetted road grass. The 31-year-old batter, who has been an integral part of the Western Australian batting setup this season, was ruled out of what is being described as a crucial final for the Shield champions.
Bancroft’s absence will be a big blow for Western Australia. Even though his natural shading has been the run-making process he’s a crucial part of their batting lineup taking the second place in the run-making charts. Over the last five seasons, he has made more than 3000 runs across the Sheffield Shield.
Having sealed the title for and back now and hoping for a third consecutive championship Western Australia will have to now manage without Bancroft. Bancroft has been a steadying batter for Western Australia, anchoring the batting lineup on numerous occasions such as in the previous match’s win over 2021-22 champions Victoria to secure a spot in the final. Bancroft has made 778 runs through 13 innings in this season at an average of 48.6.
With Bancroft absent, it’s likely that Cooper Connelly will be slotted open or Teague Wyllie, who opened in the last two games of the season. However, it remains to be seen whether Western Australia will find suitable replacement. With Bancroft down, if Western Australia wins, it will be for the third time Australia’s domestic trophies would be for the third time retained in the last total years, which would be a history.
