Sun Oct 13 16:00:43 UTC 2024: ## Cameron Bancroft’s Return to Test Cricket Looms as Green’s Injury Creates Opening

**Perth, Australia** – Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has thrown his support behind Cameron Bancroft for a Test recall, citing the injury to all-rounder Cameron Green as the perfect opportunity. Green, currently sidelined with a lower back stress fracture, faces a decision between surgery and rehabilitation, the former potentially ruling him out of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

With Steve Smith set to return to his usual number four position, the absence of Green creates a vacancy in the batting order, particularly at the opening slot. Taylor believes Bancroft, who has been a consistent performer in the Sheffield Shield, is the ideal candidate to partner with veteran Usman Khawaja.

“I’d love to see a right-handed opening batsman get the opportunity, and to me at the moment … I would have Bancroft penciled in alongside Khawaja,” Taylor stated on Nine’s Wide World of Sports show.

Taylor also acknowledged the need for Australia to prepare for the future at the top of the order, with Khawaja approaching the end of his career. He believes young opener Sam Konstas, who has recently scored back-to-back centuries in the Sheffield Shield, could be another contender, potentially even earning a spot in the Test squad.

“There’s some big Shield games coming up,” Taylor emphasized. “If Konstas plays well, I would not rule him out of playing the first Test match.”

Taylor expressed his hope that the Sheffield Shield would regain its importance as a selection barometer for the Australian team, given the packed international schedule. He sees the upcoming domestic matches as crucial in assessing form and potential replacements for Khawaja.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22nd in Perth, and the Australian selectors face a significant decision regarding their opening pair. The performances in the upcoming Sheffield Shield matches will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in their final selection.

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