Australian captain Pat Cummins says he is comfortable with a non-specialist opener replacing David Warner

Time is running out to pick retiring David Warner’s replacement, with three specialist openers and Cam Green still in the running. BEN HORNE has the latest.

Cameron Green continues to loom large as a shock candidate to replace David Warner after Sydney, as Australia braces for the end of an era.

Australian captain Pat Cummins on Tuesday declared he would be comfortable if selectors went for a non-specialist opener to replace Warner in the Test team – which only adds to recent comments from coach Andrew McDonald that all-rounder Green is well and truly in the mix.

Green is one of four candidates to fill Warner’s shoes alongside specialist openers Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft.

A changing of the guard is also looming in the World Cup-winning one-day team as well, and it appears likely fast bowlers Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood could all be rested from the ODI series against the West Indies at the end of the summer, while Steve Smith may also get a breather before the February Test tour of New Zealand.

However, that doesn’t mean there will be a chain of mass retirements to follow Warner’s announcement he is quitting the ODI format – and the overhaul of personnel in the 50-over team could be gradual.

Cameron Green could replace David Warner after the Sydney Test. Picture: Getty Images

First things first, Australia needs a new Test opener and Green – despite never having opened the batting before in his first-class career – is in with a show, after the concept of an untried batsman being promoted was endorsed by captain Cummins.

“Yeah, I would (be comfortable). Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) wasn’t a specialist until it was basically the only spot available in the team and he forced his way in,” Cummins, who has had some informal discussions with selectors about the replacement, said.

“Ideally, you’ve got someone who has had experience opening, but I don’t think it’s a blanket rule.”

McDonald said recently on ABC Grandstand that the concept of promoting a non-specialist opener is an option his selection panel has explored deeply.

“All angles will be considered. There’s four people that are being discussed, and they’ll be the ones who are taking up our time as we lead into that West Indies (first Test),” McDonald told ABC radio. “In the past 30 years, I think there’s been 30-odd openers, and 50 per cent of them have come from a non-traditional opening background.

“If that’s anything to go by, there is the potential to be able to rejig your order.

Green signing autographs for some fans. Picture: Getty Images

“That’s not to dismiss the value of a tried and tested opener who’s done it over a period of time. We’ll consider all those options and angles and work out what that looks like for us.”

McDonald does not anticipate a player to turn his nose at being asked to open if asked.

“I think the way this team operates ... if they were asked to do something, they’d jump at it for the team. It’s a pretty selfless group,” McDonald said.

Australian star Travis Head admits replacing Warner with another all-format opener is “unrealistic”.

That said, Green has shown potential as an opener in white ball cricket.

“That’s going to be a hard one. Replacing him is probably going to be unrealistic when you talk about three format players,” Head said.

“The amount of cricket we play and the position he plays, I think it’s going to be difficult to replace him in all three formats.

“But we’ll have two, maybe three guys that will do that across the formats, that we’ll find a space to hopefully find that consistent bloke that can take over and do hopefully what Davey has been able to achieve.”