Australia are likely to be boosted by the return of all-rounder Cameron Green for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, chairman of selectors George Bailey said on Thursday.
Green, who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2024, was sidelined for an extended period due to a stress fracture in his lower back in September last year.
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Green required spinal surgery which ruled him out of IPL 2025 in March as RCB decided not to sign him for the new season. However, the all-rounder had begun his recovery and is on track to be fit by June. The WTC final will take place at Lord’s from June 11-15.
“I am very hopeful that he will be available as a batsman for the World Test Championship final,” Bailey said of Green.
Green’s return also means Mitchell Marsh could lose his place in the grand final squad. With Green unavailable for the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australia recalled Beau Webster, who impressed on debut in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Bailey said that while Green’s return is crucial for the team, it’s not the end for Marsh.
“I think Mitch is at his best, and with a long-term view of what the Ashes could look like and what England can throw at us, I think he’s got a skill set there,” he said.
“There is no downplaying the fact that at some point we are clearly going to have Cameron Green return to the team as well. Unlike others, I’m not glass half empty as to where that leaves Mitch,” Bailey added.
Cummins out of the Champions Trophy?
Bailey also revealed that captain Pat Cummins will undergo scans for ankle pain, putting his participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy in doubt.
“His ankle also hurts a little. “In the next week he’s going to get a scan and we’ll get a little bit more information about where he is,” Bailey said.
Cummins had already opted out of the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka later this month while he awaits the birth of his second child. Bailey felt that vice-captain Steve Smith was the most logical to lead the team on the subcontinent.
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