Follow UsCameron Green might have scores of 4 & 0 batting at No.3, but his Test credentials are there for everyone to see. The young all-rounder, in his relatively young Test career, smashed 1381 runs, averaging 34.52, with eight 50+ plus scores. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Pat Cummins and the management are ready to back him at No.3 for the long haul.
“We see that [Green at No. 3] as a long-term option,” Cummins said ahead of the first Test against West Indies.
“I think going into last week he's hitting the ball really well, he's moving really well. He had a Test match where it obviously didn't go to plan. Think he only faced three or four balls, so the message is not to look into that too much. We're really happy with where his game's placed and I dare say we'll get a decent run of No. 3,” he added.
It comes as bad news for Marnus Labuschagne, who, only a couple of weeks ago, was an integral part of the Australian XI, opening in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa. However, Cummins hasn’t closed the door on Labuschagne’s return to the side.
"I think him at his best is a well and truly an international standard Test batter," Cummins said. "If there's an opening we could see him fighting his way back into the Test team at some point. Obviously the focus now is giving a couple of other guys a go. He's had a pretty good run and obviously didn't make the most of it as well as he would like, so [we are] offering that opportunity to the next couple of guys."
But the biggest miss for Australia in the first Test against the West Indies would be Steve Smith, who dislocated his finger during the WTC final loss. While Smith has been ruled out of the first Test, Cummins revealed that the batter could return for the second Test, provided he gets medical clearance.
"He's got a few return-to-play kind of protocols he's got to tick off," Cummins said. "I know the medical team have got a bit of a program for him."
Australia get their new WTC cycle underway with a three-match Test series against West Indies, beginning June 25 (Wednesday), in Barbados.