Steve Smith has delivered an update on Cameron Green’s availability for the first Test of the upcoming four-match Test series between India and Australia. The series will begin this week (February 9) in Nagpur.
Even before the start of the series, Australia are going through an injury crisis. Two of their frontline bowlers – Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – have already been ruled out of at least the first Test. And the latest update on Cameron Green is not promising either.
Speaking to the media just two days ahead of the first Test, Steve Smith has said that the allrounder is unlikely to feature in the series-opener in Nagpur.
Cameron Green, who is Australia’s only fast bowling all-rounder, has been on the sidelines since suffering a finger injury during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in December. In that match, he had claimed 5-27 and scored 51 not out in another impressive all-round display.
Steve Smith on Cameron Green’s availability:
Speaking at the pre-match press-conference, Steve Smith explained that Cameron Green is short on match practice. The Australia batting mainstay stated that Cameron Green is yet to face the pacers in the net and is set to miss the first Test of the series.
“He hasn’t faced even the fast bowlers so he’s very unlikely to play the 1st Test,” Smith said in the press conference.
Speaking further, Smith spoke on Australia’s injury crisis. The star batsman accepted that Hazlewood’s injury was a big blow for the visitors. He, however, was confident that other available bowlers have the potential to do well.
“(Josh) Hazelwood injury is a big loss for us, but Lance (Morris) is a good bowler, (Scott) Boland has been good. His natural length will suit these kind of pitches. Lance obviously has a pace in the air,” the former captain said.
Meanwhile, Australia are looking to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after losing the previous three series against Team India. They have also not won in India since 2004/05 season and would be desperate to do well in the upcoming series.
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