Last Update: January 29, 2023, 15:52 IST
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green (AP Image)
Australia are likely to play Green as a specialist batsman in Nagpur, on a pitch that is expected to be a rank turner.
In what could be a major blow for the visiting Australian team, all-rounder Cameron Green is unlikely to turn his arm in the series-opening Nagpur Test for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. The 23-year-old injured his finger during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the MCG, where he played a fifty and scored 51.
Read also: India should give Deepak Hooda a chance for 3 hrs before they decide to move on from him: Veteran India wicket keeper
Green is expected to get an official confirmation as far as his finger injury is concerned, but the right-arm bowler hasn’t bowled at full fitness since Boxing Day, and the Nagpur Test starts in only 10 days. It is unlikely that he will be available to play in the series opener.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald told reporters on Sunday afternoon, “The biggest challenge in the position he is in at the moment is the bowling.”
“There is a lack of load out there, and that is one of the major reasons we have come to this camp… to make sure we are ready to go for the rigors that will be put into the bowling unit.
Their bowling will be the biggest challenge for them. He has to consult the surgeon again tomorrow… where he should be given the tick of approval that the bone has healed.
“After that, it’s just him building up and we’ll see how he goes each season. The main thing is to build confidence, set him up to be successful if he plays in that first Test match.”
Read this also | Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Glenn Maxwell Says Missing India vs Australia Test Series ‘Will Nag Me For Rest Of My Life’
Australia are likely to play Green as a specialist batsman in Nagpur, on a pitch that is expected to be a rank turner.
The tall right-handed batsman was named player of the match during one of Australia’s most recent Tests in the sub-continent, scoring 77 against Sri Lanka on a turning pitch in Galle.
McDonald said, ‘We give importance to his batting first.’
“He’s a batsman in our top six and we value him. His bowling is a bonus, a very good bonus.”
Specialist batsmen Peter Handscomb and Matthew Renshaw, both coming in strong form at the domestic level, are also on standby if required.
Both Handscomb and Green have been taking some batting practice in humid conditions at the Bon Andrews Oval in North Sydney on specially prepared pitches to experience match simulation ahead of the four-Test series that will see their World Test Championship Final Qualification.
Handscomb was also a member of their previous tour of India in 2017. He also provides utility value by playing the dual role of wicket-keeper.
get the latest cricket news, the schedule And cricket live score Here