- Michael Clarke wants Cameron Bancroft to play against India
- Rejected talk about Josh Inglis facing the new ball
- David Warner declared his availability this week
Former Test captain Michael Clarke has called on 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 retire, but Clarke believes West Australian Cameron Bancroft is the best choice to play Rohit Sharma’s men.
‘I’d probably go with him [Bancroft] because he has been the leading run-scorer in Shield cricket for the last two years,” he said.
‘I think he has the right to be selected on the basis of runs.’
Steve Smith will bat on four as Cameron Green is out for the series with stress fractures in his back – and the man they call ‘Pup’ is relieved that ‘Smudge’ will not face the new ball.
“We made a mistake by letting Steve Smith open the batting in Test cricket, so let’s not make the same mistake,” Clarke said on Sky Sports Radio.
“Let’s choose a specialized opener, the one that is best equipped.
‘How can you justify [middle order wicketkeeper/batsman] Is Josh Inglis 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 called on 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 retire
Michael Clarke’s choice is Cameron Bancroft based on his runs in the Sheffield Shield with Western Australia in recent years
“He scored Shield runs, yes, but he bats in the middle order. It’s not just about who is running here and now.
‘That’s not how you select an Australian cricket team.
‘The problem that they [selectors] currently have the top three contenders who are specialist opening batters and don’t make runs in Shield cricket.
‘It’s also been two Shield rounds on wickets that are sewing… who cares? It can’t just be about scoring runs in the two Shield games.”
Other options at the top of the order include Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw and wonderkid Sam Konstas.
It comes after retired Test opener David Warner made the shock offer to return against India if the Australian team sent him an SOS.
Respected cricket journalist Peter Lalor was blunt in his assessment when it came to Warner.
‘I’ve had my head in my hands. This is a drive-by shooting of 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 starts on November 22.