The make-up of Australia’s starting XI for next week’s Ashes opener looks a little bit clearer following Cameron Green’s successful return to bowling on day one of Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland.
Before Tuesday, the 26-year-old had only bowled four overs in professional cricket since undergoing back surgery last summer, casting doubt over whether he could serve as a bona fide all-rounder for the first Test against England.
Last week, chief selector George Bailey declared that he wanted Green to roll the arm over for 15-20 overs during the fourth round of the Sheffield Shield to prove his fitness, having been ruled out of the recent ODI series against India due to side soreness.
However, the right-armed seamer produced an economical eight-over burst of 1-13 at the WACA to allay any doubts about his all-round credentials ahead of the Perth Test, which gets underway on November 21.
National selectors would have been pleased with Green’s pace and swing, dismissing Queensland opener Angus Lovell with gorgeous delivery that tickled the outside edge and flew through to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis.
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Utilising a slightly altered bowling technique to help avoid further injury setbacks, Green produced a handful of wayward deliveries during his spell, including a beamer that floored national teammate Marnus Labuschagne and a bumper that struck Bulls centurion Matthew Renshaw on the forearm, causing him to drop his bat. The Queensland opener required medical attention after the blow, sheepishly showing reporters the bruise at stumps.
“He got me there, I needed some ice spray,” Renshaw smirked.
“He was bowling quick, he was nipping it around.
“The wicket he got was a beautiful ball.
“It’s good to see him back bowling.”
West Australian teammate Cameron Gannon, who claimed 4-54 from 18 overs, said of Green: “It’s a different energy, there’s just so much more on it.
“It’ll be really interesting to see him bowl at (Perth Stadium). I think he’s going to do a great job. He’s looking like he’s got things pretty well under control at the moment.”
Having proven his fitness, Green has all but secured his spot in Australia’s Test side for the Ashes opener, although there remains uncertainty over whether he’ll bat at first drop or at No. 6.
The right-hander is Australia’s incumbent No. 3 having fulfilled the role during June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s and the recent Frank Worrell Trophy campaign against the West Indies in the Caribbean, averaging 23.50 across the four matches. Although he showed signs of improvement across the winter, it’s widely agreed he’s better suited in the middle order, which would also give him more time to recover between bowling spells.
With Steve Smith and Travis Head certainties at No. 4 and No. 5, Green is likely to return to No. 6 at the expense of fellow all-rounder Beau Webster, who risks being squeezed out of the starting XI.
The Tasmanian, who has made an impressive start to his Test career, started his summer with scores of 11, 6, 13 and 8 in the Sheffield Shield, but sent the national selectors a timely reminder of his all-round worth by taking a five-wicket haul against South Australia in Hobart, including the prized scalp of Head. However, Webster’s 5-50 may not be enough to seal an Ashes berth.
Of course, there would be room for both Green and Webster in the starting XI if Labuschagne was elevated to opener, joining veteran Usman Khawaja at the top of the order. However, each of Labuschagne’s 11 Test hundreds has come No. 3, while he’s cracked five hundreds for Queensland this summer batting a first drop.
Speaking to reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday, former Test captain Greg Chappell called on Australia to pick two specialist openers for the Ashes, cautioning against making Labuschagne face the new ball in Perth.
“Opening’s an important role and specialists generally have done better than people that have been press-ganged into the role,” Chappell said.
“Opening is a role that you need to want to do.
“Most openers are pretty passionate about getting in there and batting first.”
Uncapped Tasmanian Jake Weatherald will make his Test debut next week if Australia decides to pick two specialist openers, but after starting his summer with a trio of fifties in the Sheffield Shield, his most recent first-class scores are 0, 12, 23 and 30.
At Bellerive Oval, the 31-year-old was twice dismissed by South Australian seamer Liam Scott, chopped on on both occasions.
Elsewhere, snubbed opener Matthew Renshaw showed the national selectors what they were missing by cracking a century on day one at the WACA, prompting speculation on whether the Test squad was announced too early.
