Bridgetown: Test skipper Pat Cummins says Cameron Green is being viewed as Australia’s long-term No.3 after the all-rounder was once again named at first drop for Wednesday’s opening Test against the West Indies.
After making just four runs from five balls across two innings against South Africa in the World Test Championship final, Cummins confirmed to reporters in Barbados that Green would stay at No.3, with Josh Inglis coming in at No.4 while Steve Smith recovers from a finger injury.
Australia’s Cameron Green is being viewed as a long-term No.3. Credit: AP
Sam Konstas gets his first opportunity at the top of the order since the SCG Test against India in January, while Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey round out Australia’s middle order.
Australia have resisted the temptation to play two spinners, meaning Matt Kuhnemann will have to wait his time for a game on this tour as Josh Hazlewood edged out Scott Boland for the final fast bowling spot.
With Marnus Labuschagne now out of Australia’s XI and consigned to extra batting practice at the end of training, Cummins said every effort was going into ensuring Green prospers at No.3, having batted mostly at No.6 in his career.
Green made 174 not out against New Zealand batting at No.4, but first drop appears to be his spot to lose.
The 26-year-old, who averages 34.52 from 29 Tests with the bat, is not bowling as he recovers from a back injury.
“We see that [Green at No.3] as a long-term option,” Cummins told reporters at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on match eve. “He’s hitting the ball really well. He’s moving really well.
“He had a Test match where it obviously didn’t go to plan [at Lord’s]. The message is not to look too much into that. We’re really happy with where his game is placed. I dare say he’ll get a decent run at No.3.”
Konstas is likely to get all three West Indies Tests to mount an irresistible claim to open against England in the Ashes this summer.
“He’s starting out his first-class career and we’re all happy to be a little patient with someone like Sammy who is a little bit younger than some,” Cummins said. “He’s been working really hard over the last few months. He’s been soaking up lots of information.”
Cummins said he was impressed with Labuschagne’s attitude since being axed from the side and backed him to rebound.
“He’s been great … a bundle of energy,” Cummins said. “I think him at his best, he is well and truly an international standard Test batter.
“If there’s an opening, we could see him fighting his way back into the Test team at some point, but obviously the focus is giving a couple of other guys here [Konstas and Inglis] a go. He’s had a pretty good run and obviously didn’t make the most of it as well as he would like.”
As for the team’s approach to the three-Test series, Australia’s first in the Caribbean since 2015, Cummins said: “No one’s really played a lot of Test cricket here. Training this week has been very good. It’s coming over here with a few unknowns. You’ve got to think on your feet. We think the three quicks are better suited for this wicket.
“I think it’s literally the furthest place from Australia on earth. So many cricket fans have it on their bucket list to come over here.”
Meanwhile, the West Indies have confirmed that star fast bowler Shamar Joseph will play after his brilliant seven-wicket haul at the Gabba in January 2024 helped seal a famous win over the Aussies.
“If they’re still thinking about that going out there, that would be very good for us,” said West Indies skipper Roston Chase when asked about Joseph’s match-winning spell in Brisbane when the teams last met. “So yeah, I hope they’re still hurting.
“We’ve been on the bottom half of the [WTC] table for a number of years now, so we’re really looking to change that.”
Session times for first Test Australia vs West Indies
- First session: Wednesday 10am to midday local time (Thursday midnight to 2am AEST)
- Lunch: midday to 12:40pm local time (2am AEST to 2.40am AEST)
- Second session: 12.40pm to 2.40pm local time (2.40am to 4.40am AEST)
- Tea: 2.40pm to 3pm local time (4.40am to 5am AEST)
- Third session: 3pm to 5pm local time (5am to 7am AEST)
- Extra 30 minutes if required. Play can go until 5.30pm local time (7.30am AEST)
