Australia is set to miss the service of Cameron Green for the entire Test summer. The all-rounder has decided to go for back surgery and he will be unavailable for next six months. With the unavailiblity of the Western Australian all-rounder, Steve Smith will move to No. 4 position which he sacrificed last summer for Cameron Green. The former captain’s term as a Test opener came to a prematured end with this development in the team.
The 2024-2025 Test summer started with these two news from the Australian Cricket Team. Australia is set play 5 match series against India beginning with this summer and the series will take off at Perth Stadium from November 22. These Test matches are part of the WTC cycle 2023-25. Both the teams will be looking to confirm their tickets for the Final in England next year.
Steve Smith had expressed a desire to move at No. 4- George Bailey
George Bailey, the chief selector of Australian Cricket Board recently spoke about squad that is going to play against India this summer. He backs Smith to bat in middle-order for upcoming series.
“Pat (Cummins), Andrew (McDonald) and Steven Smith had been having ongoing conversations separate to the untimely injury to Cameron anyway. And I think Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position. Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be dropping back down the order for the summer,” said Bailey.
The chief selector also talked about some new probable faces in the squad. He also talked about 19-year-old Sam Konstas and his recent performances in the Sheffield Shield.
“If we make a selection, it’s because we think that player is ready to play. Sam has had a good start. He’s five games into his first-class career and looks really organized and composed at the crease. It’s good recognition that he’s been given the opportunity to play for Australia A but don’t think to the detriment or taking your eye off how consistent your Cam Bancrofts and Marcus Harris’ have been. The fact that Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw and Pete Handscomb aren’t in that squad shows there’s some pretty good depth there,” also stated Bailey.
“They’ve both (Bancroft and Harris) had a look at Test cricket as well, so don’t think there’s a need at this stage to put any undue pressure or expectation on Sam. He’s five games into his first-class career, he’s had a good start and certainly looks like he has a well-organised game that we are really excited (about),” he added.
Dynamics of the Australian Test XI without Cameron Green
There is lot of speculation about the Test XI versus India at the Optus Stadim, Perth. It has been reported that Hardie or Beau Webster coming into the picture as a like-for-like replacement for Green. Bailey also agreed that likes of Travis Head, Mitch Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne will be providing some support with rolling their arms over.
He confirmed that for the three main fast bowlers in Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to play all five Tests, as they did last summer, was an “outlier” and that the team management was prepared for them not being able to replicate that this season. Further, highlighting that while Green’s presence will be missed, it won’t dramatically alter the structural foundation of the Australian Test team as they prepare for the big Indian summer ahead. Smith in the middle order, will also give depth in their batting unit.