Australian batter Cameron Bancroft was one of the leading names linked to filling the opening spot in Australia’s Test squad, left vacant by now retired David Warner. However, the batter who served a nine-month ban for being involved in the 2018 ball tampering incident, was omitted from the squad.

Another veteran batter, Steve Smith was named as the new opener who would fill up Warner’s place alongside Usman Khawaja. According to Bancroft’s manager, Ben Tippet, the decision sparked a series of emotions for the player. In an interview with SEN’s Sprotsday, Tippet said that Bancroft was left disappointed when he got to know about his omission from the Test squad for West Indies and that disappointment later turned into anger.

“He’s gone through a whole range of emotions. Today he might be a bit angry, but he’s such a positive bloke” Ben Tippett told SEN’s Sportsday.

The ball tampering incident in 2018, which led to Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner all getting served with respective ban-terms, created a tense environment between the Australian bowlers and Bancroft. Ever since his ban, Bancroft has not been able to make his proper comeback into the Australia Test squad. The last time Bancroft featured in the Australian Test side was in 2019 against England at Lord’s.

However, Chair of Cricket Australia’s board of selectors George Bailey ruled out the tampering incident having any kind of influence on the decision to omit Bancroft from the Test squad. Bailey explained that the decision was entirely a “cricketing decision”.

“That has never at any stage been discussed from the panel’s perspective. It’s purely a cricketing decision. There is not a member of the team that would have an issue with Cam playing. We certainly don’t have an issue with it” George Bailey on Bancroft’s exclusion.

SEN host Adam White reported that Australian skipper Pat Cummins got in touch with Bancroft to convey the same message.

“Pat Cummins personally rang Cameron Bancroft today to make it clear his non-selection in the Test squad had nothing to do with the sandpaper saga or any subsequent comments made around the issue,” Adam White on SEN.

Even after recording good numbers in first class cricket, Cameron Bancroft’s omission made former Australian cricketer Tom Moody call out the Australian selectors for having “another agenda” behind their decision.

Australia play West Indies in a two-match Test series, starting from January 17, 2024, with the opener set to take place at the Adelaide Oval stadium, Australia.