Bancroft shines with hundred before Victoria's spinners fight back
Sri Lanka spinner Ruwantha Kellapotha claimed his first wicket in Australian state cricket
AAP
17-Oct-2022
Cameron Bancroft made his 20th first-class century • Getty Images
Western Australia 5 for 290 (Bancroft 100, Whiteman 82) vs Victoria
A Cameron Bancroft century underpinned Western Australia's early dominance before a Victorian fightback on day one of their Sheffield Shield match at Junction Oval
Bancroft was dismissed by Victoria's latest Shield debutant - 31-year-old Sri Lankan legspinner Ruwantha Kellepotha - after featuring in a 146-run stand with opening partner Sam Whiteman.
Whiteman was dismissed in the 46th over when the lefthander nicked down the leg-side from the bowling of Will Sutherland.
Bancroft struck nine fours in his 20th first-class ton but was dismissed soon after reaching the milestone, stumped. The 29-year-old, who last played Test cricket in August 2019, was the initial state first-class wicket of Kellapotha, who finished with 1 for 78 from 21 overs.
West Australian Teague Wyllie (49) failed to cash in on a bright start when was caught and bowled by Matt Short while Hilton Cartwright was unbeaten on 39.
Josh Phillipe was also dismissed caught and bowled, by Todd Murphy, as Victoria rallied late in the day, taking 4 for 64.
Western Australia included quick bowler Jhye Richardson after he missed their Shield-opening eight-wicket win against NSW because of a hamstring niggle. Richardson has not played a red-ball game since Adelaide's Ashes Test in late December.
The paceman, who has set his sights on Australia's Test series against the West Indies and South Africa this summer, returns against a Victorian side held to a draw by South Australia in their Shield opener.