Australian opener Cameron Bancroft joins Somerset for the next season

Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft, who made his Test debut in Brisbane last month, is all set to play for English county side Somerset next season. Somerset finished sixth in division one of the county championship this year, narrowly avoiding relegation to the second tier. Hence the signing of Bancroft is extremely clinical for Somerset in their bid to target trophies and accolades following a disappointing season.

Bancroft, who made his Test debut in the ongoing Ashes series put up a tenacious performance with the willow and was an integral cog in Australia’s victory. The Ashes-winning opener scored an unbeaten 82 on debut in Brisbane, and also featured in victories in Adelaide and Perth. The right-hander, who plays for Western Australia and Perth Scorchers Down Under, has 11 centuries to his name in 69 first-class appearances. He is being lined up to feature in four-day and 50-over cricket matches, but not the NatWest T20 Blast.

Following the signing, an upbeat Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry was quoted saying, This will be a key ingredient to us achieving our aspirations of winning silverware,”

He added, “Cameron has the appetite and the temperament for scoring big hundreds. He really values the price of his wicket, is mentally tough and highly driven to succeed.”

Bancroft will not play in the T20 Blast group games for Somerset

Bancroft, who earlier played for neighbours Gloucestershire in 2017, has amassed 685 runs at an average of 40.29 in Division Two of the County Championship, including an unbeaten 206 against Kent, and also appeared in the T20 Blast.

Somerset say he will be available for their opening Championship Division One games and the group stage of the One-Day Cup. The top order batsman, however, will not be involved in their T20 Blast group games, but will be returning for their final six Championship fixtures.

Somerset will be at home to promoted Worcestershire in their opening Championship match of 2018, starting on 20 April.