Did a Special Message from Bumrah Boost Green's Confidence Before Surgery?

London, June 9 (NationPress) Australia's fast-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green disclosed that a heartfelt message from India's premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah instilled him with the confidence needed for his back surgery decision.

Last year, Green endured a stress fracture in his back and opted for surgery in October. Currently, as a specialist batter, he is gearing up for the World Test Championship final against South Africa, following an impressive run of three centuries during his county championship tenure with Gloucestershire.

Bumrah, who underwent the same surgery in 2023, has excelled in his return to competitive cricket since September.

"He was in the midst of a Test match in India. Just those little gestures are incredibly special and help you feel considerably better about your choices. Having someone of his caliber reach out, and then witnessing his performance over the summer post-surgery, filled me with immense confidence," Green shared with ESPNCricinfo.

With Steve Smith slated to bat at number four, Green is likely to step in at number three during the WTC final scheduled at Lord's from June 11-15. However, the all-rounder is unbothered by this shift, buoyed by his recent scoring success with Gloucestershire.

"Every player here has probably batted in the top three or four throughout their junior careers, myself included, batting at three until first-class cricket. I have absolutely no concerns about batting at three, having done it my entire life.

"This is certainly the best I've felt batting in England. The opportunity to engage in county cricket is hugely beneficial. I feel more prepared than ever, understanding what different conditions can offer.

"Conversations with some county players who've been around for years have provided insights on various approaches. Certain clichés apply, like defending straight and scoring square—often the complete opposite of Australia, where the focus is on hitting straight down the ground," he stated.

Green concluded by reflecting on how he maximized his recovery time from back surgery. "The silver lining of having four back injuries is that I've had multiple chances to focus solely on my batting. I believe my game has always thrived during these periods."

"I will always continue bowling, but it's much more relaxing to concentrate on just batting. When you're managing both roles, the demands to stay fit and ready can detract from your batting focus. So, solely batting is quite refreshing," Green remarked.