Last Update: February 07, 2023, 11:55 IST
Cameron Green is unlikely to bowl in the first Test. (AP Photo)
Cameron Green is recovering from an injury sustained during the South Africa Test series at home
Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist believes all-rounder Cameron Green will have to be fielded at number six as a pure batsman in the first Test against Australia. India Starting Thursday.
The 23-year-old is recovering from surgery on the index finger on his right hand, which was broken during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa last December.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has already confirmed that Green is currently unable to bowl.
“That’s the mindset of the selectors and this team, I think they’ll start with Green at six, assuming he’s fully fit and not bothered at all by the finger injury,” Gilchrist told ‘Sen Radio’ are not.”
“I think that’s the nature of this group, they rely on each other a lot and are really willing to support each other in every situation.”
Green, who has played 18 Tests, averages 35.04 with the bat and impressed in three innings in Sri Lanka last year. He has also taken 23 wickets with his seam bowling, with an all-time best of 5/27.
“The way he played in Sri Lanka, it seems that Green is developing in front of our eyes every time he plays a game of cricket, I think the steps he took in Sri Lanka they would be hoping that he can continue that process.”
Australia will be without pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood due to injuries in the first Test starting in Nagpur on Thursday.
With Green unable to bowl, Scott Boland, who boasts an impressive 12.21 average with the red ball in national colours, is expected to play his first overseas Test.
Gilchrist said, “If it’s Boland coming, I think he’s going to be really well suited to the setup there, which has a line attacking the stumps, he hits the pads, he Hits the stumps from the right area and approach.”
Boland will be the second pace bowling option along with skipper Pat Cummins.
“Cummins’s skill, Boland’s skill, Nathan Lyon and I think between Lance Morris if they feel they need another quick or other spin option (I think they’ll be fine).
While the absence of Starc, who is suffering from a finger injury, will be a big loss for Australia in the opening Test, India will also be without the services of pacer Jasprit Bumrah and dashing wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
“(Starc) is a big loss but you look on the other side of the fence, no Rishabh Pant, no Jasprit Bumrah, they’re some key players for India, so maybe it all balances out a bit.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)