Star all-rounder Cameron Green is in severe doubt for the start of this summer’s Test series against India and may be missing for an even longer period if he requires back surgery.
Australia’s selectors are redrafting their plans for Australia’s top six for the Border-Gavaskar bout without Green, who has a history of stress fractures in his back, as the status of his injury became murkier.
Cameron Green is a crucial piece of Australia’s Test side.Credit: Getty Images
At the start of this week, selectors met and discussed scenarios around Green’s availability, based on expectations that he would need considerable time out from bowling due to a back stress injury but would likely be fit to play as one of the country’s best six batters.
However, things changed late on Tuesday, according to three sources speaking on condition of anonymity to speak freely, amid more sobering medical reports around the complexity of Green’s situation.
One possible remedy is back surgery, which would sideline Green for months.
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More meetings have been scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss Green’s status and when he may return.
As of Australia’s most recent Test series in New Zealand in February, the next best option to slot into Australia’s top six was deemed to be Queensland opener Matt Renshaw, who was due to bat in Perth later on Wednesday.
However, the likes of Victoria’s Marcus Harris (a century on Tuesday) and WA’s Cameron Bancroft (a golden duck) have also been near the front of the queue, while other younger players are pushing too – including 19-year-old NSW centurion Sam Konstas.