Cameron Bancroft produced a sensational return to his adopted county in their opening fixture against Glamorgan, cracking a stunning 163 off 123 balls. His innings helped Gloucestershire to a strong position at 368-3 by the end of the first day. This stupendous performance was the ultimate Communion of Saints ordeal with skill and supposition on the field.
Glamorgan won the toss and elected to field first. This decision would soon prove to be folly as Bancroft and his opening partner, Ben Charlesworth, provided the perfect base with a disciplined opening partnership of 62 runs. Bancroft showed wonderful timing in his off-side shots, constantly making the Glamorgan bowlers toil in the sun.
Bancroft really got off to the races, but he ran into trouble. Chris Cooke took him extremely low down off the bowling of Kyle Leonard, and Bancroft trudged away with just 19 runs to his name. This did little to deter him. He soon found his rhythm and went on to add with the bat, putting on a mammoth 230-run stand for the second-wicket with Ollie Price.
His innings boasted some stunning shots, with 19 fours and two sixes peppered around the boundary. He punished every full ball from the Glamorgan attack. With every blow, he compounded their misery by destroying their bowling plan. There was a time when Bancroft found himself at the low point. Cooke let him go when he was on 48, missing a difficult chance from Zain Ul Hassan.
His innings was not without a touch of good fortune, that fortune shown by the run-out chance at 73. Against this tremendous pressure, he persevered through these challenges with phenomenal grace. Bancroft’s innings came to a crashing end when Shoaib Bashir got him lbw with a peach of a delivery. It took place right before the new ball was due to be taken.
Bancroft’s aggressive presence at the crease caused the visiting Glamorgan bowlers no end of trouble all day. His innings of 163 runs was vital in setting up Gloucestershire’s total but it was deserving of praise from his teammates.
“It was great fun batting with him because he’s so clinical, he was driving so cleanly,” said Richard Dawson, reflecting on Bancroft’s performance. “It’s going to be a challenge taking 20 wickets, but it’s one we’re ready for.”
Ollie Price, who shared in the monumental partnership with Bancroft, expressed enthusiasm for their day’s play: “We probably would have bowled as well because it looked as if it would be the best time to bowl on that wicket, so we’re buzzing to have got through the day with only three wickets down.”
With the match likely curling into its second day, Gloucestershire will be keen to add runs and make their lead bigger. They certainly want to take advantage of their very good hands. Bancroft’s leadership and batting prowess will be crucial if they’re to achieve the desired outcome against Glamorgan.
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