Cameron Green to start BGT 2024/25 as a pure batter: Reports

According to reports, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will play as a pure batter for the majority of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25. The much-anticipated five-match series between India and Australia will take place from November 22 to January 7.

Green complained of soreness in his lower back following the third ODI against England last month. Due to the severity of the injury, the 25-year-old did not play a further part in the tour and flew back to Australia.

Cameron Green was ruled out of the first round of Sheffield Shield, which got underway on Tuesday (October 8). He is also not expected to be available for the second round. However, Green is likely to be fit to play as a batter for Australia A in the two first-class games against India A, starting October 31.

As per the former Australian team doctor Peter Brukner, the back injury would not prevent Green from batting or fielding but would have an impact on his bowling load. He said (via The Age):

"The issue is the load and as the bone recovers you gradually increase the load through the bone. The load comes mainly from bowling – batting and fielding don’t put a huge load on that part of the body, so it’s feasible that once the pain settles down you can bat and field without too many problems and feel fine."

Earlier, Cameron Green missed the entire 2017-18 domestic summer and had a nine-month layoff in 2019 due to stress fractures. In November 2019, he was allowed to play only as a batter in the Sheffield Shield.

Green made his Test debut in December 2020 on restricted bowling loads of four overs in an innings. He can be on a similar workload in the latter part of BGT 2024/25 as well.

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Mitchell Marsh would be a key all-rounder for Australia amid Cameron Green's injury

Mitchell Marsh, who earned a Test recall in 2023, has been a consistent performer with the willow for Australia. He has already hit five fifties and a century while scoring 80 against New Zealand in his last Test appearance.

However, Marsh could be up for an increase in bowling workload due to Cameron Green's injury. He notably threw down only 13 overs in the two-match bilateral Test series against the Black Caps.

Steve Smith was reportedly pushed to an opening slot to accommodate Cameron Green. However, it is unclear whether Green could find a place in the XI as a pure batter and Smith is likely to come at No. 4 in BGT.

Hence, opening batters Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris could earn a place in Australia's roster for the series.