Breaking: Cameron Green injury worse than thought …

A serious stress fracture to the all rounder challenges summer selection plans

Peter Lalor

Appears Cricket Et Al’s deep throat was correct: Cameron Green’s injury is serious and Australia will need to plan their summer knowing they are not going to see him for some time.

He is no chance of being ready for the first Test against India on November 22 in Perth and it is not sounding good for any time soon after that. He may not play this summer.

I haven’t confirmed if he will need surgery. More will come out later in the day.

Green was sent home from a recent one day series against England with back soreness, there’s been no confirmation of his status since.

There is some question around the bowling he did in that series.

Until late Tuesday there’d been some hope he might get get back in time to at least bat for Australia this summer. It’s not going to happen.

Green, 25, made a name as a batter when a stress fracture stopped him bowling as a teenager. He has managed 28 Tests for Australia with an average of 36 and taken 35 wicket at 35. Smith moved to the opening position on David Warner’s retirement to allow him a spot in the side after he lost it to Mitchell Marsh in 2023.

He was holding his own in the top order, scoring 174no against New Zealand in February.

Selectors now find themselves in an interesting position. Knowing in advance gives them a chance to plan, but who is going to play at No.4?

Steve Smith has told them he doesn’t want to open and so the path of least resistance is to let him drop back down from where he came.

With Green not bowling and Mitchell Marsh rarely available to bowl (he isn’t bowling in this Shield round) there is a dilemma over carry two “all rounders” who aren’t as all around as advertised.

Aaron Hardie is rising as a prospect who could slot into that role.

Cricket Et Al had a more in depth look at potential openers after the first day of the Sheffield Shield side.