Australia Optimistic About Cameron Green's Recovery for World Test Championship Final
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Jan 9 (NationPress) Australia’s chief selector George Bailey stated that the selection panel is extremely optimistic about all-rounder Cameron Green being fit enough to compete in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June, although he may play exclusively as a batsman.
At 25, Green was sidelined for the 2024/25 Australian summer after experiencing a recurrence of a lower back stress fracture for the fifth time during Australia’s white-ball tour in the United Kingdom. He underwent surgery in October 2024, performed by distinguished orthopaedic spine surgeons Grahame Inglis and Rowan Schouten in Christchurch, New Zealand.
On Wednesday, Green shared a video on Instagram, showcasing himself running and training on the outfield of the WACA Ground in his hometown of Perth. Bailey mentioned to reporters after revealing Australia’s 16-member squad for the Sri Lanka Test tour, "Very hopeful he will be available as a batsman for the World Test Championship final."
With seam-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh excluded from the Test team following a lackluster performance in the 3-1 series victory over India, Bailey was asked whether this marked the end of Marsh’s Test career, which he firmly refuted.
“I don’t necessarily view it as the conclusion for him. I believe Mitch, at his peak and with a long-term perspective on what the Ashes might entail and what challenges England could present, possesses a skill set that is well-suited for that,” he explained.
“While we recognize that at some point, Cameron Green will return to the team, we don’t perceive Mitch’s situation as entirely negative,” he added.
Pace-bowling all-rounder Beau Webster, who made a notable Test debut with scores of 57 and 39 not out, in addition to taking a wicket and making two sharp catches in Sydney, is expected to take on a significant bowling workload in Sri Lanka.
Bailey remarked that Webster’s off-spin, a technique he previously employed before switching to seam bowling, is unlikely to be needed in Sri Lanka. "Webster's spin wasn’t a factor in our selection. We have ample spin options available. While it’s a useful skill for Beau, I don’t foresee us utilizing it extensively," Bailey concluded.
