NEW DELHI: Australia chief selector George Bailey on Thursday said that he is ‘very hopeful’ of star all-rounder Cameron Green featuring in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.
Green underwent a lower back stress fracture surgery last year in October and is currently in recovery.
On Wednesday, the 25-year-old posted a video on social media, running on the field, indicating he is on the right track in recovery.
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Bailey on Thursday indicated that in the WTC Final against the Proteas, Green might feature purely as a batter.
“Very hopeful he will be available as a batsman for the World Test Championship final,” Bailey told the media during a press conference.
The next step in Green’s recovery is the post-operation scans that will be conducted next month to monitor his progress.
The all-rounder is expected to be back batting by May but for him to bowl, Australia might have to wait further.
In the presser, Bailey also shed light on why the selectors dropped Mitchell Marsh for the Test series in Sri Lanka. While Beau Webster retained his spot, out-of-form Marsh was dropped from the side for the two-Test series.
“I don’t necessarily see it as the end of the road for him,” Bailey said. “I think Mitch at his best and with a longer-term view of potentially what the Ashes may look like and what England may throw at us there.
“He’s got a skill set that suits there, not taking away from the fact that at some stage clearly we’re going to have the return of Cameron Green as well into the team. But unlike some, I’m probably not as glass half empty around where that leaves Mitch.”
In the absence of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith will lead the Australian side in Lanka.
The series begins from January 29 and both the matches will be played in Galle.
