Emerging WA opener Cameron Bancroft is ready to take the step up to Test cricket, according to Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood.
Bancroft, 23, was poised to make his Test debut last October in Bangladesh, but the tour was postponed due to security fears.
He is coming off a couple of productive Australian summers in the Sheffield Shield, averaging 47 in 2014-15 and 45 last season.
WA teammate Shaun Marsh, the incumbent Test opening partner of vice-captain David Warner, and Joe Burns, are other players vying for a start at the top of the order for the first Test against South Africa starting on November 3 in Perth.
Bancroft has started the season in reasonable form, averaging 44 across six domestic one-day innings.
He has notched two half centuries, including a knock of 56 off 60 balls against NSW on Wednesday, when Hazlewood bowled at the right-hander.
"He looked pretty good," Hazlewood said.
"I haven't seen much of him through the tournament but, today (Wednesday), he definitely batted really well.
"He was obviously pretty close (to playing a Test) when we were going to tour Bangladesh and got put on the backburner a bit.
"But he's definitely someone that would go well in Australian colours."
Bancroft did get to wear an Australian uniform once last season, but didn't get a proper opportunity to make a mark.
He came to the crease with just two balls remaining in a T20 game against India last January but didn't face a ball.
Bancroft did manage to record one stat, taking a catch as a wicketkeeper.
Asked if he thought Bancroft was ready for a Test start, Hazlewood said: "I think so.
"He's had a good couple of Shield seasons.
"He scores a lot of runs and puts a high value on his wicket, so he's a good young player."
