Cameron Green could replace David Warner post retirement in Australian XI reshuffle

Marnus Labuschagne elevated himself to the No. 1 batter in Test cricket coming in at first drop, but a reshuffle after David Warner retires might make him an opener. See how the line-up could look.

David Warner is expected to be given a farewell Test series, but selectors are seriously considering a shock appointment to fill his decorated shoes this summer.

Despite the fact next week’s Prime Minister’s XI has been billed as a ‘bat off’ between domestic openers Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft for a shot at ultimately succeeding Warner after his anticipated send-off against Pakistan in Sydney … it may all come to nothing.

Australia’s brains’ trust has a strong mind to back in a succession plan that involves returning the currently displaced Cameron Green to the top six when Warner goes and simply shuffling the deck chairs from there to find a new man to open the batting.

Marnus Labuschagne moving up one place to open, Steve Smith slotting into his old spot at No.3 and Green returning to the line-up at No.4 could become a real possibility for the January Test series against the West Indies, or perhaps even a more radical promotion to the top of the order for Travis Head or Alex Carey to accommodate Green lower down.

Cameron Green could replace David Warner and force a reshuffle in the Australian team. Picture: Geoff Caddick

The bottom line is selectors are yet to be convinced that Harris, Renshaw or Bancroft are the long-term answer at the top of the order in Test cricket and are asking whether they’re better off adopting a mentality of picking the best six batsmen rather than necessarily being tied to the notion of picking a specialist opener as Warner’s replacement.

Especially when they are dealing with the conundrum of having “generational talent” Green watching from the sidelines following Mitchell Marsh’s heroic return in the Ashes.

Harris, Renshaw and Bancroft still have time to change minds, but Australian coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday made it clear that selectors do not want Green out of the Test team for long, with Marsh set to start the summer against Pakistan at No.6.

“Yeah I think that’s definitely a conversation,” McDonald told SEN’s Gerard Whateley of thought to not leaving a prodigious all-round talent like Green on the bench for too long.

“Mitch Marsh has taken his spot in that middle order. What does Cam Green’s future look like in that Test team?

“Is it a matter of waiting for Mitch to finish? Or could there be another spot that opens up over time?

“He’s batted No.6 most of his Test career but he’s been a fantastic No.4 for WA and I think averages close to 50 in Shield cricket.

“There’s always the idea you can potentially shift the order to make room and put your best six batters or what you see as your best six batters in a certain order. And we’ve seen that in Australian cricket before. David Boon went from 3 to opening. Justin Langer went from 3 to opening. Shane Watson went from 6 to opening.

“There has been ability to reshuffle and for that to be successful but as I say we’ll pick the best XI for that first Test match in Perth.

“(Green’s) a generational type player and … how long can he stay out of the team without hindering the team’s progress and also individually, Cam’s progress.”

Warner is likely to be farewelled against Pakistan in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

The prevailing feeling is Warner will be granted the chance to go out on his own terms in the three-Test series against Pakistan, with coach McDonald on Tuesday strongly refuting suggestions Australia should be looking to the future when choosing its Test team.

In other words, if selectors decide at their meeting later this week that Warner is still the best opener of the available options, he will be picked regardless of the fact he has already signalled the third Test against Pakistan at his home ground the Sydney Cricket Ground will be his last.

“Like any other decision, it’s working out who is the best player for that position at that point in time, and I think with Test cricket, it’s really clear. You don’t necessarily need to future proof things too much,” McDonald told SEN.

Australia appears likely to name a 14-man squad early next week for the first Test against Pakistan, with Green tipped to be included, but likely end up as 12th man and back-up batsman.

This doesn’t necessarily hurt Australia’s other motivation to freshen Green up again after he endured an exhausting year on the road touring with the national team.

Test great Mike Hussey strongly endorsed Warner for a farewell series but expressed reservations about changing the existing batting order to replace him.

“He should definitely be picked. He’s been a champion player for a long period. The team always comes first but for him to finish in front of his home fans in Sydney would be a dream come true,” Hussey said.

“Mitch Marsh is the incumbent as the all-rounder and Cameron Green can keep working on his craft and come back a better player.”

Originally published as Cameron Green could replace David Warner post retirement in Australian XI reshuffle