Cameron Bancroft feels ready to seize his opportunity in the Perth Scorchers' batting line-up after playing a key role in the BBL win over the Melbourne Renegades.
Bancroft was in superb red-ball form before the T20 tournament started, blasting 164 not out in his most recent Sheffield Shield outing for Western Australia and sitting second in the competition for runs scored.
But he was left out of the Scorchers' side for the opening five games before earning a call-up against the Renegades at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Bancroft smashed 46 off 32 balls and looked set for a big score but was brilliantly run out by Will Sutherland.
The 30-year-old former Test batsman's contribution was crucial to the table-topping Scorchers' fourth consecutive win, sealed with just two balls left.
"It's hard watching on the sidelines and the team's been playing really well," Bancroft said.
"I got an opportunity today and it was nice to get out there and play and get some runs."
The door could now stay open for Bancroft, with the short-term contracts of import openers Faf du Plessis and Adam Lyth set to expire in the near future.
"There'll be some opportunities there, no doubt," Bancroft said.
"Those two have got some good experience and Faf's obviously played really well, so they'll be big shoes to fill.
"We'll do our best to cover that in the next few games."
Bancroft was full of praise for Scorchers leading run-scorer Josh Inglis, whose 47 off 34 all but dragged them over the line.
Inglis was out lbw in the final over with just one run left for victory, after his three consecutive boundaries off Tom Rogers to end the 18th over put the match in Perth's control.
"He's just in some ripper form and probably the hardest bloke to bowl to in Twenty20 cricket at the moment," Bancroft said.
"What he's got in his armoury is pretty awesome to watch for us and no doubt fans as well."
The Scorchers host the Sydney Thunder in Perth on Wednesday.
Australian Associated Press
