Cameron Green desperately chases batting-only spot in Australia’s WTC final squad

Australia allrounder Cameron Green is hoping to play some county cricket in England before the World Test Championship Final against South Africa in June. Green also wants to prepare for the big game by playing some Sheffield Shield cricket for his domestic side Western Australia.

Green underwent back surgery in October 2024 after he suffered a stress fracture in his lower back during Australia's white-ball series in England. Since then, he hasn't played any cricket and was also ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

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Cameron Green wants to play Sheffield Shield

While speaking at the Cricket Australia Awards in Melbourne after winning the Community Impact Award for his work with Kidney Health Australia, Cameron Green revealed that he is eyeing a return in Western Australia's final game at home against Victoria on March 15.

Green can play another game if WA qualifies for its fourth successive Shield final beginning on March 26. However, he will need a clearance from Cricket Australia's medical staff. He will have to go through some scans on his back on a consistent basis after the surgery to keep an eye on his recovery.

Cameron Green's recovery is already ahead of the schedule. In January, he was seen running around the whole ground in a video. it is also understood that he has been batting for the last few weeks in the nets but is yet to resume bowling.

He is not expected to bowl as Australia wants him fully fit for the Ashes series 2025-26 which series starts in late November. As a result, Green will be available just as a specialist batter in the WTC Final as well, reducing his chances of making it to the Playing XI, as per ESPNCricinfo.

Cameron Green hopes to play county cricket before the WTC Final

Cameron Green is also likely to have a stint in county cricket in England ahead of the WTC Final against South Africa at Lord's. The last of the eight rounds of county championship matches begins on May 23 which will be before the WTC final beginning on June 11.

This stint will not only test his match fitness in red-ball cricket but also acclimatize him for the English conditions. However, he won't be able to bowl and Cricket Australia will only approve him if a club is interested in signing him purely as a batter.

Cameron Green batted at No. 4 the last time he played a Test match for Australia, which was against New Zealand at Christchurch in March 2024. The 25-year-old scored a magnificent 174* during that series while batting at this spot.

However, with Steve Smith coming back to No. 4 from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Green will move down the order if he gets a chance in the Playing XI. Making it to Australia's Playing XI won't be easy for him now with the presence of some world-class players in the team.

Australia's strong batting order

Australia have a strong batting order with Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head in the No. 3, 4, and 5 respectively. Beau Webster was impressive in his debut Test against India and Australia might inch towards his all-round abilities in the WTC Final.

Travis Head, who is opening the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, will move back to No. 5 for the summit clash. According to Head, young opener Sam Konstas will open the batting against South Africa.

Australia are the defending WTC champions and will be favorites to win the trophy this time around as well. However, they will face a stiff challenge from a South African team that has quietly played some brilliant cricket.