Sheffield Shield: Cam Bancroft hits first century of the season for Western Australia

West Australian opener Cam Bancroft has issued a red-ball reminder to Australian selectors ahead of next month’s Ashes series with a confident century against South Australia at the WACA.

However, incumbent Test all-rounder Cam Green failed to douse concerns as he was dismissed for a duck before rain paused play with WA in control on day two in Perth.

At the start of the Sheffield Shield season, Bancroft’s name was raised among a handful of contenders to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

Disappointing scores of 10, three, three and five to start his Shield campaign all but ended Bancroft’s baggy green dream ahead of the First Test at Optus Stadium, starting November 21.

With the pressure of an international recall seemingly off his shoulders, the 32-year-old looked as free as he has been all season at the WACA on Tuesday and Wednesday.

And it comes at a good time for the 32-year-old, with leading Test opening candidate Jake Weatherald falling for a duck against Victoria, while incumbent Sam Konstas made just 10, an ugly leave on middle stump seeing him bowled.

South Australia’s rusty start with the ball in the final session of day one gave Bancroft the fast start he needed to settle the nerves. He guided off his legs beautifully and punished wide balls outside off.

As he approached the 50-mark, his driving came to the fore, targeting the shorter straight boundaries.

A night’s sleep did nothing but assist Bancroft’s calm demeanour as he steadily worked over an improved effort from the visitors on day two.

He was in the 80s at lunch and despite losing Hilton Cartwright 15 minutes after the restart and Cam Green six balls later, his hundred, when it came, felt inevitable.

A classic cover drive took him to 97, and another squarer drive brought the WACA members to their feet to celebrate just the opener’s second WA century in the past two campaigns.

The opener then worked with young gun Cooper Connolly as he made a strong start to his innings.

South Australian middle-order batsman Jake Lehmann said after day one at the WACA the feeling around the country was that any shield cricketer could make a claim on a Test place with good performances, including Bancroft.

“I don’t know if Cricket Australia know 100 per cent who they’re going to pick yet, but there are some quality players out there,” he said.

“(Cam) Green and like I said Bancroft and (Sam) Whiteman have been doing it for years. (Jake) Weatherald, I can keep naming them, (Nathan) McSweeney, (Jason) Sanga.

“Anyone who can put up their hand, I would be looking at for sure.”