Aussie star Cameron Green gets worst news – surgery, then out for summer
Cameron Green will miss Australia’s entire five-Test series against India after opting to undergo surgery on a stress fracture in his back.
Cameron Green of Australia plays a shot on Day 4 of the Second Test between Australia and the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane, Sunday, January 28, 2024, (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP
Cricket Australia confirmed the allrounder would need six months to recover from this week’s procedure, meaning he will also miss the Test tour of Sri Lanka that begins in January.
Scans revealed a “unique defect” in an area adjacent to the fracture, which was diagnosed after Green reported back pain during the recent white-ball tour of the UK.
The allrounder’s absence is a big blow to an Australian side that has lost its past two home Test series against India and leaves selectors to reconfigure the XI.
Any one of opening batters Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Harris or Cameron Bancroft could come into the side if Australia decide to push Steve Smith down the order to replace Green at No.4.
Alternatively, uncapped Aaron Hardie or Beau Webster are like-for-like options if Australia want to bring in an allrounder.