Cameron Bancroft aims to fully recover from his shoulder injury by the start of the 2025 County Championship, planning to play for Western Australia next month. After sustaining injuries while fielding for Sydney Thunder in January, Bancroft has been sidelined but is optimistic about returning for the Sheffield Shield in March. Recently appointed captain of Gloucestershire, he expressed confidence in the team’s potential to improve after a challenging season. Bancroft’s successful 2024 season, which included three Championship hundreds, has earned him respect, and head coach Mark Alleyne praised his leadership skills and experience.
“The shoulder’s tracking alright. Of course, [there was] a bit of trauma to manage and work through,” Bancroft stated. “I’m certainly learning from the experiences of many other players. Healing takes time… I’m getting really close and excited to start playing cricket at the beginning of March.”
In 2024, Bancroft showcased impressive performances across different formats for Gloucestershire, scoring three Championship centuries and finishing as their top run-scorer during their T20 Blast triumph. He is set to return for the complete 2025 season, and head coach Mark Alleyne emphasized that his attitude last year made him the perfect candidate for the captaincy.
“Cameron had a remarkable season with us in 2024 and led by example in all his endeavors,” Alleyne remarked. “I admire his commitment to preparation and how he brings that into the game. His experience in Test match cricket and winning four-day titles provides a solid foundation for our players to learn from.”
Although Gloucestershire finished second to last in Division Two last year, Bancroft is optimistic about their promotion prospects. “We took away valuable lessons last year,” he noted. “We’ll build on those insights, continue to focus on our strengths and the aspects we excel at. If we can do that, we’ll be a tough team to beat and very competitive.”