Injured Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green has revealed just how tough he is at 23, sharing an image of his broken finger.
Late on day two, a good length ball at 144.6km/h from South African speedster Anrich Nortje hit the Aussie giant on the glove and he was immediately in discomfort.
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On just six from 20 balls, Green left the field retired hurt with blood pouring from his finger.
It was later revealed he’d suffered a broken finger and would likely be out the remainder of the Test.
Only he wasn’t.
On day 3, the big all-rounder strode to the crease after the fall of Nathan Lyon’s wicket and batted for more than 40 overs, facing 157 more balls to reach 51 not out before Australia’s declaration.
He did not field in South Africa’s second innings and was kept in cotton wool with the first Test in the tour of India coming up from February 9.
He’ll also miss the remainder of the BBL.
But the 23-year-old, who became an instant millionaire earlier in the week when he was signed by the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League for an Australian record price which equates to $A3.15m and took his maiden five-wicket haul in the first innings, revealed just how gnarly the injury was — and just how tough he is.
Green is set to undergo surgery for the injury he posted on Instagram.
“You try to not show the pain straight away,” Green told cricket.com.au.
“I marked my guard again and walked a couple of steps, and I was like ‘I reckon my finger is out of place here’.
“I checked on it – it looked a little bit inverted is the only way I can explain it. It already had a big cut in it, then I got the bad news after the scan.”
Green said he wasn’t able to play as freely as he usually did but that it simplified his mindset.
“I think that‘s what happens when you get injured – your game simplifies in a way,” said Green.
“There’s only a few shots you can play and everything apart from that you have to defend.
“It‘s a funny thing when you’re in that mindset, you’re actually really clear on what you have to do.”
Green was able to bat through the innings and fans fell in love with his celebration when wicketkeeper Alex Carey hit his debut century.
But the prognosis is good for Green as he’s expected to return before Mitchell Starc, who suffered a ligament injury to his finger, but bowled through the pain.
“India’s the next big tour and we’ll see where the time frame is with that. It’s my bowling hand so I’ve got to be pretty careful and make sure it heals properly,” Starc told cricket.com.au.
“The irony is (Green) will be back before I am. Bones are a bit quicker in the healing process, the tendon is a little bit different. I think we’ll both be seeing the same specialist.”
