The Australian cricket team is likely to deal with a major blow ahead of the first Test against India, on February 9 as its prominent all-rounder Cameron Green is unlikely to feature in the opening contest of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The West Australian broke his finger during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, where he claimed 5-27 and scored an unbeaten 51.
A report in Fox Sports has claimed that Green is hoping a specialist would confirm that his finger has healed on Monday. Still, the biggest challenge ahead of him is his bowling workload before the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy. With just ten days left in the first Test match, Green’s availability is unlikely.
“Where he’s position at the moment, his biggest challenge is bowling. There is a lack of loading there, and it's not of the key reasons around us getting into this camp to make sure that we are ready to go for the rigorous of what the bowling unit is going to encompass,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reports on Sunday afternoon.
He further stated that building confidence is very important and that having the right mindset ahead of such a crucial series will be key. According to reports Australia is willing to select Green as a specialist batter in Nagpur, where the pitch is expected to be a raging turner.
“We value his batting first and foremost really. He is a batter in our top six and we value that. His bowling is a bonus, a very nice bonus,” Mr. McDonald added. The right-hander was named Player of the Match during one of Australia’s most recent Test in the sub-continent scoring a classy 77 against Sri Lanka on the turning pitch in Galle. Meanwhile, specialist batters Peter Handscomb and Matthew Renshaw, both coming off the strong form at the domestic level, are also on standby if required.
