Bancroft aware of his role as concussion standby in the squad

[Ulquiorra]

 

Cameron Bancroft was dropped from Australia's Playing XI after failures in the first two Ashes Tests © Getty

Cameron Bancroft's selection for the two Tests against Pakistan is a matter of much debate. He had been dropped after the first two Ashes Tests in England earlier this year, and his returns in the ongoing Sheffield Shield (57 runs, 6 innings, average of 11.4, and a top score of 30) didn't point to a callback. He wasn't even part of the Australia A squad that took on Pakistan in the practice game but once he was flown in for the unavailable Nic Maddinson, he scored 49 off 155 balls in the second innings and helped tip the balance in his favour.

With Joe Burns the designated opener alongside David Warner, it's unlikely that Bancroft will be in the starting XI. But his inclusion points to the changing landscape of selection around concussion substitutes. Australia experienced it first-hand with Marnus Labuschagne in England, knowing how a good batsman on standby is vital in this day and age.

Since the option was introduced in August, there have been three occasions already. Trevor Hohns, Australia's chairman of selectors, admitted that having concussion substitutes in the squad was one of the reasons why they went for a 14-man squad instead of a 12-man squad for a home Test series.

"I think that's probably the way the game has had to evolve a little bit," Bancroft said of concussion substitutes. "Marnus was a great example during the Ashes. He was able to come in and have a really big impact in that game. You (need to) be as flexible as you can, and you need resources in your team to be flexible for whatever happens."

Bancroft confessed that he was "surprised" with his call-up. His 49 in the practice game at Perth had come batting in the middle order, but Travis Head is slated to play ahead of him there too.

"It was a surprise," Bancroft said of his selection. "I haven't got any big hundreds or the runs I would have liked. I've been out in a couple of really strange ways. But contrary to a lot of other times in my career, I felt like I've been playing well. I've just been out of runs at the time.

"I've found some good confidence in one-day cricket, I'm feeling good. If I get an opportunity, hopefully, I can make a big score."

The first Test between Australia and Pakistan starts Thursday (November 21) in Brisbane.