Australian cricket 2024: Cameron Green sent home from ODI series in England with back injury

Cameron Green has returned early from the ODI series in England with a back injury which could have massive implications on the Aussies’ Test series against India this summer.

Australian selectors’ insistence about the identity of the nation’s six best red-ball batters stands to be seriously tested amid doubts over Cameron Green’s availability to bowl this summer.

The news that the all-rounder was being sent home from the UK with a back injury was a serious spanner in the works less than two months out from the first Test against India in Perth, potentially unsettling what had shaped as a largely stable side.

Who would open alongside Usman Khawaja had been the only serious selection storyline but that picture has been significantly clouded given the uncertainty around Green’s status given Cricket Australia provided scant detail thus far on the seriousness of the West Australian’s injury.

It had been a determination to reinstate Green into the Australian XI after David Warner’s retirement that had led selectors to promote Steve Smith to open. While the Smith shift yielded modest results in series against the West Indies and New Zealand, Green’s move to Smith’s old No. 4 spot was successful, with Green’s 174 not out at Wellington the standout innings of an otherwise low-scoring Test. Green prefers to bat at No. 4 where he has been successful in domestic cricket.

Aussie coach Andrew McDonald said earlier this month that the personnel of the top six would likely remain the same for the start of the India series, with only the order subject to change given the sense Smith was lukewarm about remaining at the top. Travis Head has been flagged as a potential opener but has been tightlipped about his interest in such a shift.

Cameron Green is hugely important to Australia’s Test chances as a number six batter and fourth change quick. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Importantly, Mitch Marsh ended his longstanding bowling exile by sending down four overs in Australia’s heavy one-day defeat to England at Lord’s in the early hours of Saturday morning (AEST).

Should Marsh be able to provide a viable fifth bowling option over the summer, the selection panel would likely be more inclined to pick Green even if he is not fit to bowl.

If Green is ruled out entirely that would leave the door wide open for a host of challengers while also paving the way for Smith to move back to No. 4. Perennial fringe openers Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft would all be in the mix if an opening arose, as would Nic Maddinson following his return to NSW. All-rounder Aaron Hardie is probably the closest like-for-like replacement to Green, while fellow all-rounders Beau Webster and Matt Short, and backup wicketkeeper Josh Inglis also have chances to bolster their respective cases given the long lead-up to the first Test.

There are four Sheffield Shield rounds, two Australia A matches against India A and white-ball series against Pakistan to be played before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series begins.

“Cameron Green has sustained a back injury and will play no further part in the ODI tour of England,” CA said.

“Scans in London overnight revealed the injury after Green reported soreness following the third ODI against England in Durham.

“He will return home for further assessment where his return to play management plan will be determined.”

In Green’s absence the Aussies were routed for 126 in a rain-shortened match after England posted 5-312 from 39 overs on the back of a 58-ball 87 from Harry Brook. The series heads to a decider at Bristol on Sunday night.

Originally published as Australian cricket 2024: Cameron Green sent home from ODI series in England with back injury