Steve Smith will replace David Warner as chief selector snaps back at claims Cameron Bancroft missed out because of his role in the 2018 Sandpapergate cheating scandal

Cricket Australia chief selector George Bailey has dismissed claims that Cameron Bancroft was overlooked for the Test squad to face the West Indies due to his role in ‘Sandpapergate’ in 2018.

Despite comfortably being the leading points scorer in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia for the past two seasons, Bancroft was not named in the 13-man squad, with Matthew Renshaw as batting reserve.

Steve Smith will face the new ball with Usman Khawaja, with all-rounder Cameron Green – considered a generational talent by many Cricket Australia figures – given the opportunity to bat at four.

It is also hoped that Smith’s decision to open could extend his Test career.

When asked if Bancroft was not selected because he was on the outside, Bailey denied that was the case.

Despite being the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield for the past two seasons, Cameron Bancroft was not named in the 13-man squad, with Matthew Renshaw as batting reserve

‘Categorically no (possible problem between players and Bancroft). And I’ve shared this with Cameron a number of times,” he said.

“It’s never been discussed, from the panel’s perspective it’s purely a cricketing decision.

“There isn’t a member of the team that has a problem with Cam playing.

“I think a lot of people forget that Cam has actually played Test cricket since he returned from the ban. It (cheating scandal) was a long time ago. We’re all way past that.

‘I would be disappointed if people saw that as a reason… that’s not the case.

“It never has been and never will be.”

Rumors are swirling that Bancroft is targeting many players after he suggested in an interview that players such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon were ‘aware’ of the ball tampering on the pitch in Cape Town .

The quartet later released a statement denying any wrongdoing during the series in South Africa.

Steve Smith will meet the new ball against West Indies with Usman Khawaja

Bailey also has no doubt that the 34-year-old Smith will excel at the top of the rankings.

“Steve has spoken a number of times about feeling from series to series about how he feels about Test cricket,” he said.

‘He is very motivated, energetic and excited about this new opportunity.

“It’s selfless that someone who has had so much success in the middle class is open, willing and hungry to try something new.

“It’s a challenge or an itch he would like to scratch.”