Bancroft made a typically composed 39 not out and combined with teenager Teague Wyllie to ensure WA had no wobbles passing the lowly 91-run target in a nine-wicket victory over Victoria at the WACA.
“A little bit nerve-racking, was more than happy for Teague to have a dip [at the winning runs],”grinned Bancroft after the final. “Pretty special moment, something I will remember forever.”
Those feats were even more meritorious considering the plethora of bowler-friendly wickets during this Shield season, particularly at the WACA.
“Cameron’s been building to a season like this for a little while now,” WA coach Adam Voges said. “Technically, I think he’s in a much better space than he has been previously.”
Bancroft played 10 Tests sandwiched between a lengthy ban for his part in the infamous ball-tampering scandal, with the last being during the 2019 Ashes in the UK. The saga seemed to take its toll with Bancroft’s career in limbo having been dropped from Western Australia’s Shield team a couple of years ago.
But he’s slowly resurrected his career with a more formidable Bancroft now at the crease. He still has the innate ability to grind down bowlers but notably added attacking flair and bats at a better tempo, as Bancroft showcased during Perth Scorchers’ BBL title run having started the season on the outer.
“He’s always had those really remarkable powers of concentration and ability to bat for long periods of time and now that he’s technically in a better place, I think that just allows him to be able to draw on that strength,” Voges said.
“There was a couple of cues that worked for him as a player…that I can relate to. His guidance and his experience and his knowledge that he has shared with me this season has been really invaluable.”
“The focus shifts pretty quick from this onto that [county cricket],” Bancroft said. “The dreams and aspirations of playing higher are always there, and I’m sure they are for all cricketers but I just tried to finish this season off really well and then move on to the next lot of cricket I’m playing.”
With Bancroft having resuscitated his game, those who have watched him deflate bowlers all season believe he’s primed to relaunch his Test career.
“I think he deserves a spot on the plane to go to England in the winter,” Voges said. “I think you’re always more ready the second time around. He’ll learn from the experiences and he’ll certainly be much better for it.”