Cameron Green, Australia’s star all-rounder, is considering undergoing back surgery, which could result in him missing the upcoming five-Test series against India this summer, according to a report by ABC. A decision on his surgery is expected by Friday or Saturday.
Initially, Green had set his sights on playing in the first or second Test as a specialist batter. However, if he decides to go ahead with the surgery, it would sideline him for a considerable duration, ruling him out of the entire series. This presents a significant challenge for the Australian selectors, who must find a suitable replacement in the batting lineup. The series, which is set to begin in late November, consists of five Tests compressed into a six-week period, adding pressure on the team to finalize their squad as quickly as possible.
Green has been a key player for Australia’s Test side, having cemented his place in the top order. Earlier this year, he delivered an outstanding performance with an unbeaten 174 against New Zealand in Wellington, solidifying his position as the number four batter. Green’s contributions have been impressive, maintaining a batting average of 48.57 over 28 Tests, in addition to claiming 35 wickets as a bowler.
However, his cricketing career has been marred by injuries, particularly stress fractures. He recently experienced back pain during Australia’s one-day series in England in September, which forced him to return home prematurely. This recurring issue with his back has raised concerns, leading to his contemplation of surgery as a long-term solution.
If Green opts for surgery, it will not only affect his participation but also force Australia’s selectors to reshuffle their lineup, particularly the top six batting positions. This could lead to major changes as the team looks for a replacement to fill Green’s role. Mitch Marsh, who currently captains Australia’s T20 team, is expected to take on more responsibility in the bowling department, but the absence of Green’s batting prowess will still leave a gap that needs to be filled.
The stakes are high for the Australian team as they aim to avoid a third consecutive Test series defeat at the hands of India. In 2018/19, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, India made history by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series on Australian soil with a 2-1 victory. Two years later, India repeated the feat in 2020/21 with another remarkable 2-1 series win, despite several key players being sidelined due to injuries. That series included a historic victory at the Gabba, where Australia had previously remained undefeated for 19 years.
As Australia gears up for this crucial series, the potential loss of Green adds another layer of complexity to their preparation. His absence would require strategic changes as the team seeks to end India’s dominance in their home conditions and secure a series win this summer.
