Bancroft hits BBL form

Cameron Bancroft’s consecutive half-centuries have given Perth Scorchers hope of qualification at the halfway stage of this season’s Big Bash League.

Bancroft, Durham’s overseas player for all formats in 2019, has contributed heavily in the last two matches to lift Perth from the foot of the table & just two points behind the top four.

An unbeaten 87 in the last match against Sydney Sixers was Bancroft’s T20 best; a classy, controlled knock which helped them chase down 178 with an over to spare.

A partnership of 98 with Scorchers captain Ashton Turner proved too much for the Sixers, with Bancroft happy to play second fiddle to the big-hitting skipper.

He raced out of the blocks in the powerplay overs, hitting five boundaries inside the first six including a towering maximum off Tom Curran.

After reaching fifty from 35 balls, Turner dominated the strike before falling with 15 required & Bancroft duly closed things out in the penultimate over, beating his previous best 85* against Sydney Thunder last season.

Bancroft played a starring role in Melbourne as well, leading the Scorchers to a straightforward chase of 147 against the Stars.

On that occasion he partnered with veteran opener Michael Klinger, putting on 75 for the first wicket to set a strong foundation on which skipper Turner was again able to capitalise on with the help of Bancroft.

The Durham man was eventually stumped for 59 off 42 balls, including 4x4s & 2x6s, with another powerful innings from Turner able to see things out with ease.

Raine begins Volts stint

All-rounder Ben Raine has also been in action for Otago Volts in New Zealand’s T20 Super Smash league.

Raine’s stint started with defeat to Central Districts, despite taking two wickets in the hosts’ innings. He scored 14 off 12 balls amidst a spiralling run-rate in the chase.

They looked to be facing another stiff chase in the next match against Auckland, who reached 117/1 off 11 overs before rain intervened with no further play possible.