Australia are set to consider unleashing uncapped prodigy Cameron Green when they pursue an ODI series victory over India at the SCG on Sunday.
The hosts crushed Virat Kohli’s side by 66 runs in Friday’s series opener, when Steve Smith and Aaron Finch both scored centuries in a total of 6-374.
The only sour note for coach Justin Langer, apart from a couple of dropped catches and a remarkably late finish to the match, was a side injury for Marcus Stoinis.
The all-rounder trudged off the field during his seventh over and never returned.
The incredibly short break between games in Sydney suggests the 31-year-old, even if cleared by scans, is in doubt for Sunday’s clash.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Australia, already unable to call on all-rounder Mitch Marsh because of his ankle injury, will likely promote Green, Moises Henriques or Sean Abbott.
Henriques boasts plenty of experience, while Abbott is in red-hot form with ball and bat.
But Green is the 21-year-old who has long been billed as the nation’s next great all-rounder.
The West Australian recently returned to bowling after a back stress fracture and on Friday continued his knack of making good first impressions on astute judges.
“I faced him for a couple of balls in the nets before the game and it’s the first time I’ve seen him bowl. He bowls a heavy ball,” Smith told reporters.
“He looks an impressive talent and if he gets an opportunity, hopefully he can take it with both hands.
“He’s started really well in the Shield season.
“I don’t know how Stoin is, fingers crossed he’s okay, but if he’s not then obviously someone has to come in.”
Former selector and Test skipper Greg Chappell has described Green as the best batting talent he has seen since Ricky Ponting.
Green made an eye-catching Sheffield Shield debut in 2017, impressing current selectors Langer and George Bailey.
Langer was coaching WA at the time, while Bailey was captaining Tasmania.
Meanwhile, Smith is hopeful his quickfire hundred is the start of something special this summer.
“The foundation had been set, so I could be quite aggressive. I picked my bowlers and where I wanted to hit them,” he said.
“It was nice to hit a few in the middle, spend a bit of time out there. Hopefully it holds me in good stead for the rest of the summer.”
© AAP
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