Retired Australian opener David Warner identified a technical fault in former Test teammate Cameron Bancroft’s batting, suggesting the West Australian would struggle against India’s pace attack this summer.

Bancroft, one of the Sheffield Shield’s most prolific batsmen over the past 24 months, was touted as the leading candidate to replace injured all-rounder Cameron Green in the Test side for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

However, the 31-year-old has not pressed his case for a domestic retirement in recent weeks, recording scores of 0, 0, 8, 2, 0 and 16 in the Sheffield Shield and Australia A series.

Speaking on Fox Cricket CommentaryWarner suggested that Bancroft was vulnerable to fast bowling because of his planted front foot, which points away when driving and defending.

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“At the moment there is no airspeed in Shield cricket and it is played in non-bouncing venues,” Warner explained.

“With Cameron Bancroft, his foot is still pointed. If someone were bowling at 145 km/h, they would still make the same mistake.

“In my opinion, it’s about getting your front foot pointed at you. When there is a faster airspeed, when players throw faster, he will get dragged, LBW, or get caught in the slide cordon.

“He had that problem when he played for Australia.”

When asked who should open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja this summer, Warner expressed his support. South Australian captain Nathan McSweeney.

“McSweeney is a talent,” Warner said.

“They can run the challenge with him opening the batting.

“I know he’s South Australia’s No. 3 batsman, but I think he’s got leadership qualities there too.”

Speaking to Fox Cricket this week, former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe agreed that Bancroft looked susceptible to quality pace bowling.

“Bancroft is a very good player, but he still throws good balls,” O’Keeffe said.

“The best starters stay against good balls. Cameron is still reaching out to them.”

Australia A will take on India A in a second red ball at the MCG starting Thursday, where Bancroft may have another chance to impress the national selectors.