- All-rounder would play a big role in the India Test series
- Was sent home from a recent tour of England due to a problem
Australian test selectors must make a decision after superstar all-rounder Cameron Green will undergo 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 problem and after much discussion it was agreed he would undergo surgery.
The operation, which will be performed in New Zealand, will use screws and titanium wire to bond the vertebrae together, similar to the procedure that former Australian fast bowler James Pattinson underwent with great success.
With the surgery to stabilize the defect and reduce the risk of future recurrence, Green now faces an expected recovery time of six months
“Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will undergo surgery this week to treat a stress fracture of the lumbar spine,” Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement.
‘The extent of the fracture was revealed during follow-up scans and extensive assessment after he reported lower back pain during the recent tour of Britain.
‘While stress fractures in the spine are not uncommon in pace bowlers, Cam has a unique defect in an area adjacent to the fracture that is believed to contribute to the injury.
Cameron Green (pictured with girlfriend Emily Redwood) will miss six months of cricket due to a ‘unique defect’ that will require back surgery
The 25-year-old was sent home from Australia’s white-ball tour of England (pictured) after suffering fractures to his lower back
‘After thorough consultation, it was determined that Cameron would benefit from the surgery to stabilize the defect and reduce the risk of future recurrence.
“The surgery has been successfully performed on elite pace bowlers in the past.
“The recovery time is expected to be approximately six months. The decision to proceed with 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 part, if not all, of the Indian Premier League.
Australia will now have to adjust their batting line-up, with the decision on who comes in impacting Steve Smith’s future as Test opener.
Green’s long absence is a blow to the Aussies, who expect a very tough challenge from India in the upcoming five-Test series
Green produced the best innings of his 28-Test career when he made 174 not out against New Zealand in March, taking on the new role after Smith was elevated to opening following the retirement of David Warner.
An Australia squad named for two matches against India on Monday will provide insight into possible replacements.
Openers Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft, as well as teenage breakthrough Sheffield Shield star Sam Konstas, will be included, raising the possibility of Smith returning to number four and a specialist opener being chosen for the Test series.
Harris opened the Sheffield Shield season with a century, while Bancroft made a couple of ducks. Konstas became the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to make two hundreds in the same match after winning the double ton for NSW against South Australia.