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AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

Perth's Bancroft keen on elusive BBL title

In-form Scorchers opener Cameron Bancroft is hoping he can finally win a BBL title this season. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

When it comes to showering in the spoils of Big Bash glory, Perth Scorchers opener Cameron Bancroft would have to be one of the most unluckiest players going around.

Bancroft has scored 1527 runs across 66 games since making his BBL debut in 2015.

The Scorchers have won two of their four titles across that period, but Bancroft is still yet to taste the ultimate success.

He was squeezed out of the side during last season's title-winning run to accommodate the return of Josh Inglis and Mitch Marsh from international duties, and played in the losing final two years ago.

The 30-year-old was forced to watch the early part of this season from the sidelines as imports Faf du Plessis and Adam Lyth were preferred at the top of the order.

But with that duo now gone, Bancroft has taken his chance with both hands, cracking 289 runs at an average of 48.2 and at a strike-rate of 146.7.

The Scorchers are well placed to add another crown to their tally after finishing on top of the ladder.

The four-time champions will host the Sydney Sixers in 'The Qualifier' at Optus Stadium on Saturday, with the winner to secure hosting rights for the grand final.

"I've been on the bench a few times when we've won some titles," Bancroft said on Wednesday.

"I might have an opportunity this year, it would be really nice.

"We've been a successful team but being in a winning side is a completely different feeling.

"So hopefully we can just play well as a group and get to that final and hopefully win one.

"It would be really nice personally but we've still got a few more tough games to go."

Perth's pace duo Jhye Richardson (hamstring) and Matt Kelly (concussion) are in a race against time to prove their fitness.

Richardson hasn't played since January 4, while Kelly needed stitches after being struck by the ball in a freak fielding mishap against the Renegades on Sunday.

Bancroft has already played one T20I for Australia, but he's not putting too much pressure on himself to earn another call-up.

"To play for Australia in any format is pretty special," he said.

"(But) it's not something that I'm hell-bent focused on. I'm just trying to be really present, I'm enjoying doing what I'm doing for the Scorchers.

"No doubt all those other things will take care of themselves if it's meant to be."

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