Australian star Cameron Green is in a race against time to be fit for the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Test series against India later this year. The all-rounder suffered a back injury and could miss the five-match home series.
The injury has already ruled him out of the ongoing ODI series against England. Cameron Green complained of back pain following Australia’s 46-run defeat in the third ODI earlier this year. As a result, he was left out of the playing XI for the fourth ODI, scheduled to be played on Friday (September 27).
The Australian team management decided not to include him in the squad after scans confirmed a back injury. According to a report in cricket.com.au, the extent of the injury and the timetable for his return will not be known until the all-rounder returns home to Perth and undergoes further assessment.
Cameron Green had a good outing in the third ODI. Although Australia lost the game, Green impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 42 runs as well as picking up 2 wickets. Before that, he was left out of the second ODI to manage his workload. Green had bowled in the previous six games of Australia’s tour of the United Kingdom before being rested.
Cameron Green doubtful for Border-Gavaskar series
Cameron Green’s participation in the high-voltage Test series is highly doubtful after his back injury. In case he does not recover in time for the series, Australia could be forced to make some changes to their batting line-up.
After David Warner’s retirement, Steve Smith began opening the innings, allowing Green to bat at his preferred fourth spot. If Green is indeed ruled out of the Test series against India, Smith is likely to return to the No. 4 spot. With Travis Head also unwilling to open in Tests, Australia could be forced to bring in a specialist opener.
Meanwhile, Australia will be desperate to beat India at home in the upcoming series. Having not won a series in India since the 2004/05 season, Australia also lost the last two Test series at home. They beat India in the final of the World Test Championship last year and will be hoping to turn things around in the upcoming series.