Star all-rounder Cameron Green has conceded he‘ll be “touch and go” for Australia’s first Test in India in February having undergone surgery to fix his broken finger.
But Green shut down reports he would be limited in his capacity to fulfil his massive $3.15 million Indian Premier League deal declaring rumours he wouldn’t be able to bowl as “not correct”.
Green was forced to have surgery after scans revealed the bad break to the index finger on his right hand, suffered while batting in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Images of the break reinforced how significant an effort it was for Green to make an unbeaten 51 in the second innings, batting through the pain.
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It came just days after his massive IPL windfall but Green said his priority was getting back for the Test tour of India in February, although he conceded both he and fats bowler Mitchell Starc, who also broke a finger, would be racing the clock to be fit.
“Obviously my first priority is the Test Series that’s beforehand,” Green added when asked about the IPL.
“I think me and Starcy (Starc) are maybe touch and go for that first one but obviously we’ll give ourselves the best chance.”
The first Test in India starts on February 9, the first of four matches with the last beginning on March 9.
The IPL begins on March 25 and despite workload concerns, Green dismissed reports in India suggesting he wouldn’t be able to both bat and bowl to fulfill his massive deal with the Mumbai Indians.
“No, that’s not correct”, Green told SEN Sportsday WA.
“I’ve heard about this for a quite a while now I think. I don’t know where it’s come from.
“I’ve heard that I’m 100 per cent available for both skill sets in the IPL at the start, so yeah, I’m not too sure where that’s kind of come from.
Green said despite the pressure of the big-money deal, he was excited to get over there and perform to “repay the faith” shown in him.
