Cameron Bancroft has taken another step forward in his cricketing rehabilitation, scoring a half-century to lead Perth Scorchers to a six-wicket BBL win over Melbourne Stars.
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Bancroft scored 59 off 42 balls as the Scorchers, chasing 147 to win at the MCG on Wednesday evening, reached their target with 14 balls to spare.
Playing in his fourth top-flight match since serving a nine-month suspension for his role in the Cape Town ball-tampering saga, Bancroft looked in total control in a classy innings which included two sixes and four boundaries.
The exiled Test opener lasted just three balls in his BBL comeback last month but displayed his intent early against the Stars when he smacked Scott Boland for six over deep midwicket.
"It's been slow going the last couple of games but I just tried to be really bold today," Bancroft said on the Seven Network broadcast.
"Sometimes you've got to risk failure to succeed a little bit in Twenty20 cricket. It was nice to be able to contribute today.
"I think I've worked on a lot of things in my game during my ban ... I had reasonable success tonight which was good."
Bancroft was not selected for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka but appears to remain firmly in national selectors' plans for the Ashes.
The 26-year-old said his time on the sidelines had given him the chance to firm up his technique.
"I think when you've played lots of games for a long period of time, and I only probably realised this during my ban, was how you put bandaids over problems with your technique because it's all about making runs," Bancroft said.
"I guess I was able to take a step back, really work on firming up my top wrist and working on my back-foot play a bit with the intention to be really positive."
Bancroft combined with Michael Klinger (29) for a 75-run opening stand as the Scorchers climbed off the bottom of the ladder with their second win of the season.
Skipper Ashton Turner finished unbeaten on 43 off 22 balls while Scorchers paceman Andrew Tye was named man of the match after taking 4-18.
Ben Dunk top-scored for the Stars with 62, hammering six fours and a six.
The third-placed Stars were again ravaged by Australian selection demands with skipper Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa all unavailable after being picked for the ODI series against India.
Nic Maddinson, making his first appearance in any format since his right arm was fractured by a Jhye Richardson bouncer in the Sheffield Shield last month, was handed captaincy duties in his first game in Stars colours.
Maddinson batted at No.3 and was caught behind on two, fending away a Tye bouncer which closely resembled the delivery that broke his arm.
Australian Associated Press
