Australia are sweating on the fitness of Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc before finalizing their side for the second Test in Delhi starting on Friday, captain Pat Cummins revealed. Australia are trailing 1-0 to India in the four-Test series after losing in Nagpur by an innings and 132 runs.
Both Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green had hurt their fingers, Starc on his bowling hand and Green fractured his right hand during the South Africa Test series. Both were ruled out of the first Test against India in Nagpur and still curiosity reigns over their availability.
Australia’s team selection was slammed by one and all as they played two off-spinners and left out Travis Head in favor of right-handed Peter Handscomb, but then also picked Matt Renshaw to bat at no.6.
Cummins said no decision had been made on the composition of Australia’s XI as the selectors wait to see how Green and Starc recover later on Thursday.
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“Starcy and Green had good sessions yesterday and we will assess them later on today. We don’t have a line through them yet, we’ll see,” Cummins was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
I Think There’s A Conversation: Pat Cummins On Considering A Third Spinner In A Five-Man Attack Instead Of Mitchell Starc
If Green plays, he will be well short of 100% and Cummins’ conceded that it is a risk the selectors are carefully considering given his long-term importance to Australian cricket.
“Having a right-hander helps and him providing our fifth bowling option also helps. He’s a big player. It certainly helps the team function well from batting and bowling. You have got to be able to perform as well. He’s still coming back from that injury. He’s only had [one] session where he’s catching with a hard ball. He had a really good session yesterday. We will see how he pulls up,” Cummins added.
Pat Cummins also confirmed that if Green is fit to play, then Australia are considering playing a third spinner in a five-man attack instead of Starc, even if Starc is passed fit to play.
“I think there’s a conversation. We’ll work that out by the end of today, I hope. He’s one of the world’s premier bowlers in these types of conditions. We’ll see. As I said, the wicket looks like it might turn a little bit. I thought last week with two pacers, that attack functioned quite well but I think whether it’s Starcy, another spinner, Scott [Boland], variety in the attack does help,” Cummins said.
The second Test begins in Delhi from February 17 onwards.