Blow for Australia: Cameron Green's back injury puts his BGT 2024-25 participation in jeopardy
Published - 27 Sep 2024, 07:47 PM | Updated - 27 Sep 2024, 11:43 PM
Australia star Cameron Green is in a race against time to be fit for the highly-awaited Border-Gavaskar Test series against India later this year. The all-rounder has picked up a back injury and could miss the five-match series at home.
The injury has already ruled him out of the ongoing ODI series against England. Cameron Green complained about back soreness following Australia's 46-run loss in the third ODI earlier this year. As a result, he was left out of the playing eleven for the fourth ODI, scheduled to be played on Friday (September 27).
The Australian team management decided against including him in the team after scans confirmed a back injury. According to a report in cricket.com.au, the extent of the injury and a timeline for his return wouldn't be known until the allrounder returns home in Perth and undergoes further assessment.
Cameron Green had a fine outing in the third ODI. Although Australia lost the game, Green impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 42 runs in addition to picking up 2 wickets. Before that, he was left out of the second ODI to manage his workload. Green had bowled in the previous six games of Australia's UK tour before being rested.
Cameron Green doubtful for Border-Gavaskar series
Cameron Green's participation in the high-voltage Test series is highly doubtful after the back injury. In case, he fails to recover in time for the series, Australia could be forced to make a few changes to their batting lineup.
After David Warner's retirement, Steve Smith started opening the innings which allowed Green to bat at his preferred fourth spot. If Green is indeed ruled out of the Test series against India, Smith is likely to return to the No.4 spot. With Travis Head also unwilling to open in Tests, Australia could be forced to bring in a specialist opener.
Meanwhile, Australia will be desperate to beat India at home in the upcoming series. Having not won a series in India since the 2004/05 season, Australia have also lost the last two Test series at home. They beat India in the World Test Championship final last year and will be hoping to turn things around in the upcoming series.
