Star Australia allrounder ruled out of first Test against India in BGT 2023
In the Boxing Day Test against South Africa (2022), Cameron Green fractured a finger and has been out ever since. He’s healing from the injury now, but he’ll probably miss the first Test against India, which will start on February 9 in Nagpur.
According to sources, the young allrounder did some fitness work during Australia’s practice game at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium even though he didn’t bat. In order to prevent his injury from worsening, the team management chose a cautious approach.
In the meantime, Australia’s Steve Smith admitted that Green has not yet reached peak condition and that he has not yet faced fast bowlers in the nets. Australia might need to field an extra batter and four specialised bowlers if Green is ruled out. Matt Renshaw or Peter Handscomb might then be included in the starting XI.
“I don’t think he is (going to play). I don’t think he’s even faced fast bowlers yet. So I dare say he won’t be playing but who knows? I’m not entirely sure. We’ll wait and see. But it’s unlikely, I think,” Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
I don’t think there will be a heap of bounce in the wicket: Steve Smith
Smith feels that there won’t be much bounce in the wicket based on his assessment of the Nagpur pitch. He said that the pacers may skid the ball in the first few days since the pitch is so dry. The great batter said that the cracks felt relatively loose, which gives spinners an advantage.
“It’s pretty dry. Particularly one end that I think will take a bit of spin, particularly the left-arm spinner spinning it back into our left-handers. There’s a section there that’s quite dry. Other than that, I can’t really get a good gauge on it,” said Smith.
I don’t think there will be a heap of bounce in the wicket. I think for the seamers it will be quite skiddy and maybe a bit of up-and-down movement as the game goes on. The cracks felt quite loose. We’ll wait and see when we get out there,” the star batter added.
