SYDNEY: Selectors confirmed that Cameron Green would feature in the first Test against the West Indies. However, the replacement for David Warner as opener remains undecided. Warner departed from the five-day format after the recent Test against Pakistan in Sydney, concluding a 12-year tenure at the top of the order.
Initially, Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw were considered strong contenders for the opening position. Nevertheless, Steve Smith expressed his interest in taking on the role last week, altering the landscape.
For the upcoming two-Test series starting on January 17 in Adelaide, Renshaw secured a Test spot as the lone change in the 13-player squad, sidelining Bancroft and Harris.
Chief selector George Bailey confirmed Green’s inclusion in the squad, despite his recent absence due to Mitchell Marsh’s resurgence. Green is slated to either open the innings or, more likely, bat at four—his usual position for Western Australia. This setup would potentially allow Smith to open, while reports from local media suggest Renshaw might serve as the backup batter.
Neither Green nor Smith have previously opened in Test cricket. “Cameron Green will come into the playing XI for the Test in Adelaide in a squad also containing Scott Boland and Matthew Renshaw,” said Bailey.
The team chosen comprises what we believe are the country’s top six batters. Renshaw’s entry deals a significant blow to Bancroft, the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield over the last two seasons, who is now overshadowed despite being four years older at 27.
The uncertainty lies in whether the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, who participated in all three Tests against Pakistan, can sustain their performance for two more matches. If the selectors opt for rest for one, Boland stands ready to step in.
Additionally, a 13-man squad was announced for the upcoming one-day series versus the West Indies post the Tests. Cummins will be taking a break, with Smith taking up the captaincy. Marsh, Starc, and Hazlewood are also slated to sit out the three games.
“The squad strikes a balance between players continuing to make their mark on international cricket, playing alongside some of our most experienced players with an eye to the future in this format,” said Bailey of the one-day squad.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchel Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa
