Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is still touch-and-go for the first Test against India with the coming days pivotal in his race to be fit.
The 23-year-old is racing against the clock after suffering a broken finger during this summer’s Boxing Day Test against South Africa.
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It’s already been confirmed he will be unable to bowl in Nagpur, but Australian captain Pat Cummins told foxsports.com.au on Thursday that it remains unclear if he’ll be able to play at all.
“I know he won’t be bowling (in the first Test),” Cummins said. “The next week’s obviously really important. He hasn’t been able to do a lot yet.
“I think the nature of that particular injury is once it comes good, it comes good really quickly. Hopefully we’re at that stage where the next week, it really does improve a lot.”
Cummins said Green was going to attempt to bat in the nets on Thursday, although the result of that test is unclear.
“I haven’t seen how that’s gone, but we’ll see how the next week goes, the next few days in particular, and map out a plan,” Cummins added.
“Still kind of hopeful, but see how he goes.”
Whether Green plays and doesn’t bowl, or doesn’t play altogether, it’s a big blow for the Australians given the balance the all-rounder brings to the XI.
A fully fit Green allows the Australians to pick two specialist spinners alongside two fast bowlers with the talented 23-year-old serving as a third seam option.
Without him bowling — which he hasn’t done at full fitness since Boxing Day — selectors have less flexibility.
Cummins said that without Green bowling, the door is effectively closed on the possibility of bowling three specialist spinners, given it would mean just one fast bowler would be available in the XI.
Nonetheless, he said that “nothing’s off the table” completely when it comes to the first Test.
“I doubt that’s kind of an option for the first Test, but we’ll wait and see with the conditions,” Cummins said.
“Again, you look at our team, players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, they’re top class bowlers, so even though it might be spinning conditions, it’s hard to bet against those guys not doing a fantastic job.”
The first Test between India and Australia gets underway at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday, with the first ball scheduled for 3pm AEDT.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy can be watched exclusively on Foxtel and streaming platform Kayo Sports, which also carries a Hindi feed for every match.
