- Michael Clarke wants Cameron Bancroft to play for India
- Talking about Josh Inglis is ruled out ahead of the new ball
- David Warner declared this week that he was available
Former Test captain Michael Clarke has asked Australian selectors not to “make the same mistake” when it comes to who will open the batting with Usman Khawaja against India.
David Warner divided opinion earlier this week when he boldly offered to come out of retirement, but Clarke believes Western Australian Cameron Bancroft is the top choice to play Rohit Sharma’s men.
“I would probably pick him (Bancroft) because he has been the leading run-scorer for the last two years in Shield cricket,” he said.
“I think he’s earned the right to be selected based on racing.”
Steve Smith will bat at four as Cameron Green is out of the series with stress fractures in his back, and the man they call ‘Pup’ is relieved that ‘Smudge’ won’t face the new ball.
“We made a mistake getting Steve Smith to open the batting in Test cricket, so let’s not make the same mistake,” Clarke said on Sky Sports Radio.
‘Let’s choose a specialist starter, the one who is best equipped.
‘How can you justify (wicketkeeper/middle-order batsman) Josh Inglis being a better person to open the batting in a Test match against this Indian attack than a specialist opener?
Former Test captain Michael Clarke has asked Australian selectors not to “make the same mistake” when it comes to who will open the batting with Usman Khawaja.
David Warner divided opinion earlier this week when he boldly offered to come out of retirement.
Michael Clarke’s choice is Cameron Bancroft based on his Sheffield Shield runs in recent years with Western Australia.
‘He scored Shield runs, yes, but he bats in the middle order. It’s not just about who is racing here and now.
“This is not how you select an Australian cricket team.
‘The problem they (selectors) have at the moment is that the top three contenders who are specialist opening batsmen are not making runs in Shield cricket.
‘There have also been two rounds of Shield on wickets coming together… who cares? “It can’t just be about making runs in the two Shield games.”
Other options at the top of the order include Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw and teenage prodigy Sam Konstas.
It comes after retired Test opener David Warner made the surprise offer to return to the fold against India if the Australian team sent him an SOS.
Respected cricket journalist Peter Lalor was blunt in his assessment of Warner.
‘I’ve had my head in my hands… this is a drive-by shooting from a guy in a clown car. Go away, David, we’ve had enough, it’s not your time,” Lalor said.
The first Test against India in Perth begins on November 22.