Sheffield Shield: Cam Bancroft’s horror summer form slump hits new depths for WA with golden duck

Cam Bancroft’s horror summer has gone from bad to worse since missing out on Test selection, dismissed with the very first ball of Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia. It came on a rain-interrupted day where the WA top order were forced to battle. Jayden Goodwin had reached 48 when rain stopped play in the final session and the visitors were 3-95. Hilton Cartwright was bowled by Liam Scott for 18, while opener Sam Fanning fell for seven. After play was delayed almost two hours at Adelaide Oval, Bancroft lasted just one ball, edging Spencer Johnson’s delivery behind. It is his fifth duck in first-class matches this summer, a run of form that could put his spot in the State side under scrutiny. He is yet to pass 16 in any first-class match this summer. Bancroft was in the race to open the batting for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series before the nightmare run, which extended to two Australia A games where he was on audition. The veteran’s usual opening partner Sam Whiteman is still recovering from a side strain, but Bancroft’s spot could be in danger when he returns. WA still have one more match after this one, against New South Wales in Sydney, before Bancroft joins Sydney Thunder for the Big Bash League. The pink-ball match in Adelaide marks the long-form returns of WA pace duo Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson in a stacked attack that also includes left-armer Joel Paris. Stand-in South Australian captain Ben Manenti won the toss and sent WA in to bat.