Cameron Green unlikely to play Shield cricket before county stint

Cameron Green unlikely to play Shield cricket before county stint

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Cameron Green will likely not participate in any Sheffield Shield cricket before his County Championship stint with Gloucestershire as he recovers from October spine surgery. Although he had hoped to return for Western Australia’s last Shield match, he is unlikely to be cleared in time. Green’s debut for Gloucestershire is expected on April 18 against Kent, following a five-game deal funded by a club donation. He is being considered for the World Test Championship final in June as a batter only, adding complexity to Australia’s batting lineup. He may replace either Marnus Labuschagne or Beau Webster, but his exact position remains uncertain.

Cameron Green is not expected to participate in any Sheffield Shield matches prior to his stint with Gloucestershire in the County Championship, as he continues to recuperate from back surgery.

At the Australian Cricket Awards last month, Green indicated that he was on track for a return, potentially making himself available as a batter for Western Australia’s last Shield fixture against Victoria on March 15. However, despite resuming practice in the nets and regularly hitting balls in recent weeks, it appears he is unlikely to obtain medical clearance to play before the conclusion of the Australian domestic summer, meaning WA does not anticipate his participation in the Victoria matchup or the Shield final, should they qualify.

To monitor his recovery following spine surgery in October, Green must undergo regular scans on his back. His first appearance back on the field is expected to be in division two of the County Championship for Gloucestershire against Kent at Canterbury on April 18.

Green has inked a deal for five games with Gloucestershire, facilitated by a “significant donation” from one of the club’s supporters. The matches include two against Kent, as well as encounters with Leicestershire, Lancashire at Old Trafford, and Northamptonshire, all before the WTC final at Lord’s. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether Cricket Australia’s medical team will permit him to participate in five consecutive first-class matches leading up to the WTC final, given his lack of cricket since September and no first-class play in the past 13 months, despite his intent to refrain from bowling during these games.

Green is positioned to feature in the WTC final in June as a solely batting player, having played all 28 of his Tests to date as an allrounder. Australia is also scheduled for a three-Test tour of the Caribbean in late June to early July, but he will not be able to bowl until later in the year in preparation for the home Ashes series commencing in late November.

His availability as a batter creates a selection dilemma within Australia’s batting lineup. Green scored 174 not out in his second-last Test match while batting at No.4, but with Steve Smith’s successful return to that position, Green will need to bat elsewhere if he participates in the WTC final against South Africa.

Travis Head will also revert to No.5 after beginning as an opener in Australia’s last Tests in Sri Lanka, which means Australia requires another opener to partner Usman Khawaja. Sam Konstas is a candidate for return after missing selection in Sri Lanka and is eager to compete in the County Championship, though he has yet to secure a contract.

Green might take a position at No.3 or No.6, but such moves would displace either Marnus Labuschagne or Beau Webster. Should Webster be omitted, Australia would be without a fourth seam option, though this might not be a critical factor for a single Test in England in June. Additionally, Josh Inglis’ recent impressive performances across all formats make him an attractive selection option for the final. Australia does not need to announce a 15-man squad until May.

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