Cameron Green is short of time to prepare for the first Test against India on February 9 as he faces the biggest challenge as he recovers from a broken finger suffered against South Africa at the MCG.
Green has been part of Australia’s training camp in Sydney for the last two days and has been making steady progress, but the series opener in Nagpur could be too early. He is due to see the surgeon again on Monday, a month after the injury with the hope that he will be told the bone has healed.
In the early stages of Green’s career, it has become clear that he is a cricketer who benefits from regularly playing long-length shots. In both last year’s Ashes and this season’s Tests, he has gotten better as the summer has passed; He took five wickets against South Africa in Melbourne before breaking his finger, yet still managed to score an unbeaten half-century.
Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald said, “The biggest challenge in the position he is in at the moment is the bowling.” “There’s a lack of loading, and one of the key reasons we’ve had all-around early arrivals at this camp is to make sure we’re prepared for the rigors of the bowling unit. [is] going to wrap up.
“Building confidence is the main thing, preparing him to be successful in that first Test match, giving him enough time, that will be the key question.”
However, if Green’s bowling does not come up high enough, he will be considered a specialist batsman. He showed his ability to learn quickly in the subcontinent last year with crucial half-centuries in Lahore and Galle in particular, where he was player of the match on a hostile surface.
McDonald said, “We value his batting first and foremost and in fact he is a batsman in our top six and we value him, his bowling is a bonus. A very good bonus.”
But Green is crucial in balancing Australia’s side. If he is unable to bowl (or play) then the selectors will have to decide whether to go with a two-quick two-spinner balance – as they did against South Africa at the SCG – or go with an extra-pacer. Get back your traditional strength with . While Green is unable to bowl, McDonald refuses to play alongside the three specialist spinners.
If Green is not selected as a pure batsman, Matt Renshaw, who played at the SCG, and Peter Handscomb will come into the frame at No.6, with the latter potentially complementing a bevy of left-handed batsmen. Will work in their favor.
“we see him [Handscomb] as an important right-back option,” McDonald said. We have a lot of left hand players. If there’s a late change, or Cameron Green doesn’t play the first Test, we think we’ve got some good options.”
Australia’s other main injury concern, Mitchell Starc, remains on a timeline to be ready for the second Test in Delhi on February 17, although it is believed he may be ruled out earlier than planned. Has occurred.
Starc also suffered a finger injury at the MCG and is still bowling with protection in training, which he will not be allowed to do in a match. He is almost back at top speed in what McDonald termed “staggering”, although there remains a definite time frame for his recovery. However, unlike Green he has been able to get through his workload in training.
McDonald said, “The guard needs to be up. Really guarding against that knock that would re-injure that ligament.” “That is why it is a clear time frame to hedge against any risk.
“To be honest, we can’t rush it. It’s probably frustrating for Mitch that he feels good. But the good thing is that when he’s out of the splint, all of his work is going to be fast and That would be pretty cool.” There’s a lot more in the second Test, which is good news for us.”
David Warner, among many players who have been or are still involved in the BBL, admitted on Saturday that he was tired after a hectic season, but McDonald praised his honesty rather than seeing it as a concern. ,
“I think whatever a player expresses at any point in time, it’s fair and reasonable,” he said. “If he’s feeling tired and fatigued, there’s a clear reason why.
“It’s been a long Test summer. He’s had some off-field issues that played out and took away some of the stress, some of the mental energy. And he’s put some time in big bashAnd I think he’s done a fantastic job representing the Australian cricket team throughout the Big Bash, along with the other players, I think that’s a really positive sign.
“Our challenge will be to manage him in that first Test, which is no different to any other series where you let players come through different phases of fatigue.”
