In their quest to become Australia’s new Test opener, Cameron Bancroft struck 53 and Marcus Harris 49 against Pakistan on Thursday, but neither was able to press on and reach a huge score.
They assisted the Prime Minister’s XI to 149-2 at stumps in Canberra, behind by 242 in Pakistan’s only warm-up match before the three-Test series, which begins next week in Perth.
The visitors declared at 391-9 after captain Shan Masood scored a double century after starting day two of the four-day match at Manuka Oval on 156, slamming 14 fours and six sixes in his 201 not out.
Jordan Buckingham of South Australia took 5-80.
Billed as a “bat-off” to replace David Warner, Bancroft and Harris were chosen ahead of Matt Renshaw, who is also a candidate to fill the veteran’s vacuum when he retires.
Warner has stated that he will retire from the lengthier format after the third Test against Pakistan at his home site, the Sydney Cricket Ground, in January.
Bancroft, most known for his role in the infamous “Sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering affair in 2018, built a half-century with patience until being trapped lbw by Khurram Shahzad.
Harris, who has been in and around the Test side since his debut in 2018, was caught at mid-off by Shahzad off the spin of Abrar Ahmed.
Cameron Green was unbeaten on 19 and Renshaw was not out on 18.