Melbourne [Australia], May 27: With the World Test Championship (WTC) final looming, Cameron Green’s red-hot form in county cricket has put him firmly in the frame for a place in Australia’s playing XI — even if he won’t bowl. Head coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged that Green’s batting exploits for Gloucestershire have made him a strong contender purely as a specialist batter, leaving selectors with critical decisions ahead of the marquee clash against South Africa at Lord’s.
🔥 Green’s Resurgence:
Green, 25, returned to form spectacularly after back surgery, piling up three centuries and an unbeaten 67 in county cricket, consistently batting at No. 5. His most eye-catching knock remains the unbeaten 174 in Wellington against New Zealand earlier this year, showcasing his temperament and technique.
Though he won’t bowl at Lord’s, McDonald praised Green’s flexibility and defensive solidity, calling him a potential fit anywhere in the top six, including as high as No. 3 or even opener, if needed.
“He could be three, five, six, even open. He’s got the temperament, skillset, and defensive play,” McDonald told SEN, according to ESPNcricinfo.
🧩 Selection Puzzle:
Green’s inclusion threatens a reshuffle across Australia’s top order:
- Steve Smith stays locked at No. 4
- Travis Head likely moves back to No. 5
- Usman Khawaja will open, but his partner is undecided, with Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, and others in contention.
- Beau Webster, who impressed at No. 6 in earlier Tests, is in the mix but not guaranteed.
McDonald confirmed selectors haven’t finalised the combination and are debating the need for a fifth bowling option.
“There’s an XI on the board, but there are dashes and multiple names,” he said, emphasizing flexibility and conditions-based selection.
💬 Key Quotes from Andrew McDonald:
- “Do we need the allrounder depending on conditions? That shuffles the batting order.”
- “Beau Webster can play purely as a batter too.”
- “We’ll assess IPL returnees on arrival in England before final calls.”
🧠 Tactical Considerations:
The selection hinges on Lord’s pitch conditions and Green’s fitness. If the pitch favors seamers, selectors might lean on an allrounder like Webster. If batting depth is prioritized, Josh Inglis, who scored a ton on debut in Sri Lanka, could slot in as a specialist at No. 6.
However, Inglis has never opened in first-class cricket and has limited success above No. 5, making that option unlikely despite past speculation from selector George Bailey.
📝 Likely Top Order Scenarios:
If Green plays as a specialist batter:
- Khawaja
- Konstas / Labuschagne
- Green
- Smith
- Head
- Webster / Inglis
If selectors opt for a bowling allrounder:
- Green’s spot may push one of Konstas, Labuschagne, or Webster out, depending on batting balance and fitness updates from IPL returnees.
As Australia eyes back-to-back WTC titles, Green’s return bolsters their batting options significantly — but also triggers a strategic headache that McDonald and his team are in no rush to solve prematurely.