Cameron Green will miss six months of cricket after opting for back surgery

A spot in the Australian Test team is now up for grabs after confirmation of season-ending surgery for the star all-rounder.

Australian Test selectors have a decision to make after confirmation superstar all-rounder Cameron Green requires back surgery to address a “unique defect” in his back and will be sidelined for up to six months.

Green, 25, was sent home from Australia’s white-ball tour of England with a back issue and after significant consultation it was agreed he would have surgery.

The operation, to be performed in New Zealand, will involve using screws and titanium wire to bind vertebrae together, similar to procedure which former Australian fast bowler James Pattinson underwent with great success.

With the surgery to stabilise the defect and reduce the risk of future recurrence, Green now faces an expected six-month recovery timeline

“Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will undergo surgery to address a stress fracture of the lumbar spine this week,” Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement.

“The extent of the fracture was revealed in follow-up scans and extensive assessment after he reported lower back pain on the recent tour of the UK.

“Whilst spine stress fractures are not unusual in pace bowlers, Cam has a unique defect in an adjacent area to the fracture that is believed to be contributing to the injury.

“After thorough consultation it was determined Cameron would benefit from the surgery to stabilise the defect and reduce the risk of future recurrence.

Cameron Green will miss six months with a back injury. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

“The surgery has been performed successfully with elite pace bowlers in the past.

“Recovery time is anticipated to be around six months. The decision to proceed to surgery is with Cameron’s long-term future as an all-rounder in mind.”

Green will miss the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, two Tests against Sri Lanka, the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and likely some, if not all, of the Indian Premier League season.

Australia will now have to rejig its batting line-up, with the decision on who comes in set to impact Steve Smith’s future as a Test opener.

Green produced the best innings of his 28-Test career when he blasted 174 not out against New Zealand in March, taking on the new role after Smith was elevated to open following David Warner’s retirement.

An Australia A squad being name don Monday for two games against India will give an insight in to potential replacements.

Openers Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft as well as teenage breakout Sheffield Shield star Sam Konstas, are set to be included, making the likelihood of Smith moving back to number four and a specialist opener being chosen for the Test series most likely.

Harris opened the Sheffield Shield season with a century, while Bancroft made a pair of ducks. Konstas became the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to make two hundreds in the same match after belting the twin tons for NSW against South Australia.