ALTHOUGH Western Australia and the Queensland Bulls could not chalk out a result when the two sides went head to head in the Sheffield Shield, an experienced batsman stood above the rest with a commanding knock.

Having suited up for Australia on a number of occasions, West Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft certainly has some experience at the crease, and it came to the forefront in the second innings of the match, where he produced a patient knock.

He top scored for the match with 164 runs from 448 balls, and he remained unbeaten as W.A. posted a whopping 427 runs. However, time ended up being the biggest factor in the match’s result, with Queensland holding on to conjure a draw on the final day at the Gabba.

The result sees the Bulls move even closer to second spot in the standings, while the visitors remained unbeaten and at the top of the table.

Queensland Bulls (6d/295 & 7/97) drew w/ Western Australia (7d/427)

Cameron Bancroft – 164* (448 balls)

Bancroft posted his third ton of the Sheffield Shield season against the Bulls with a strike rate of 36.61, patiently waiting to strike as he outlasted Queensland’s pace attack.

The 30-year-old and fellow opener Sam Whiteman produced a 90-run partnership to start things off, and when the latter was dismissed in the 42nd over, Bancroft held steady and continued to push Western Australia’s score up.

Doing his best work off the back foot, he was able to take advantage of the pace on many deliveries, instead simply guiding the ball through the field for 14 boundaries, all racing along the pitch for four.

Bancroft brought up his half-century with some hard running after a clever flick down leg side made the field work to prevent the boundary.

The opener seemed to favour sending the ball down off-side, never needing too much power to conjure a boundary given the pace of the Queensland attack. The Bulls attempted to produce a wicket with some spin, but it did not faze Bancroft, who continued to work off the back foot and punish the opposition.

Finishing the match surpassing the 150 mark, Bancroft was excellent for Western Australia, showcasing why he is still one of Australia’s finest batsmen. Although W.A.’s total of 427 probably should have been enough to win the match, Bancroft continued his hot form of the 2022/23 season.