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Justin Langer confirms Cameron Green will debut in Adelaide - if he's fit

14th December, 2020
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14th December, 2020
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One of Australia’s most exciting young cricketers will earn a first Test cap on Thursday – as long as he’s passed fit to play.

Coach Justin Langer has confirmed Cameron Green will make his Test debut against India in Adelaide, but the young all-rounder first has to be cleared by medical staff after being forced out of the last Australia A game due to concussion.

“If he’s passed fit he’ll definitely play,” Langer said on Tuesday morning.

“We’re just going through the concussion protocols. We all saw it was a very unusual incident that happened with him.”

Green was struck in the head while bowling by a Jasprit Bumrah drive last Friday, but the Australian camp are confident the 21-year-old will be right to play in two days’ time.

“If Cameron gets through the protocols and he gets through training and he feels good, [he will play]. I’ve seen him last night, he had a big smile on his face, he had another test this morning that we got good news,” Langer said.

“He’s a terrific young bloke, he’s obviously an excellent talent, he’s earned the right for selection through his performances through Sheffield Shield cricket.

“If he’s fit and available then he’ll make his Test debut, which is very, very exciting for Australian cricket, for him and his family.”

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Langer also gave some clarification about who will appear at the top of the order for Australia, but stopped short of revealing the full XI.

Despite some speculation he could be moved up to open the batting, Marnus Labuschagne will remain at first drop, leaving Joe Burns, Marcus Harris and Matthew Wade as the contenders to face the new ball. Langer said they will decide on who opens in the next couple of days.

Wade, a constant in the middle order since last year’s Ashes, has never opened at Test level but has done the job frequently in white-ball cricket, while Harris has made his case for selection with 355 runs at 118 to start the Sheffield Shield season.

Burns, on the other hand, hardly has a recent run to his name. The Queenslander managed only 57 runs across five Shield innings before scores of 4, 0, 0 and 1 against the Indians in the two tour games.

Despite being the incumbent opener, he now appears a considerable long-shot to play in Adelaide, although his case has been boosted recently with the likes of Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin calling for his inclusion in the team.

If Green isn’t fit in time for the series opener, Wade could stay at number six or still move atop the order to accommodate Moises Henriques in the middle. The NSW all-rounder was added to the Test squad yesterday as cover for the injured Sean Abbott, however would be a like-for-like replacement for Green if the latter is unavailable.

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