'That's crazy': Cameron Bancroft dismissal baffles commentators

Cameron Bancroft’s extraordinary run of leg-side dismissals has continued in the Sheffield Shield, leaving commentators baffled.

Bancroft has out for just four on the opening day of Western Australia’s clash with Tasmania on Friday, caught at leg gully.

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Facing Jackson Bird, Bancroft got a thick inside edge while playing a defensive stroke and was gobsmacked to see the ball fly straight into the hands of fielder.

Tasmania captain Tim Paine had stationed Jake Doran at a fairly deep leg gully, fully aware of Bancroft’s propensity to hit the ball in the air on the on-side.

“Oh my goodness,” one commentator said on Cricket Network.

“I’m still not sure how this ball has carried to a backward square leg or a square leg gully.

“It was an inside edge and it’s somehow gone to that man. Remarkable dismissal really.

“It’s a very difficult one to try to describe.”

A fellow commentator added: “If it wasn’t Cam Bancroft you’d go ‘that’s crazy’.”

The former Test opener was dismissed in similar fashion a number of times last season, with rival teams placing fielders behind square on the leg side for catching chances.

Cameron Green fails to fire with the bat

Meanwhile, recent Australian call-up Cameron Green failed to fire as Bird gave Tasmania a strong start.

All-rounder Green, selected for the first time in the national squad for limited overs matches against India next month, was out for seven as WA slipped to 5-69 at lunch on day one.

The 21-year-old, regarded as one of the best young talents the country has seen in years, couldn’t follow-on from his 197 against NSW last week as Bird had him well caught at third slip by Ben McDermott.

In better news for Green, he’s expected to bowl during the match at Gladys Elphick Park after back issues had prevented him from taking the ball over the last year.

Bird, largely forgotten in the Australian set-up after last playing a Test in 2017, reminded selectors of his seam and guile when conditions are right by capturing 3-17.

After Tasmania won the toss and elected to bowl, Bird ripped through the top order, claiming the wickets of Bancroft and Sam Whiteman (4) before Green’s dismissal left WA reeling at 3-23.

Recalled D’Arcy Short (17) started well with three boundaries but was out caught behind off the bowling of Nathan Ellis (1-21) and when game one centurion Ashton Agar (2) departed to seamer Beau Webster (1-9), WA were on the ropes.

with AAP

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