Green on track for Nagpur, and Handscomb set for scans

Australia is hopeful that all-rounder Cameron Green will be ready for the first Test against India, which begins in less than a month, but the outlook is less favorable for Mitchell Starc, a quick bowler.

In the Boxing Day Test, Anrich Nortje’s rising delivery struck Green in the glove, breaking his right index finger. Despite subsequently continuing his innings, the blow forced Green to leave the game hurt, necessitating emergency surgery to correct it.

Green’s projected return will coincide neatly with the first Test in Nagpur on February 9, while Starc’s return date is less certain.

Stars will not play in the first game of the series because of tendon damage and a fracture to his middle finger on his bowling hand sustained in Melbourne. The left-arm paceman will depart for India later than the rest of the team.

George Bailey, the chair of selectors, gave some information on the team’s ailments to the media after the announcement of Australia’s touring party to play India.

Bailey remarked, “Greeny, we’re hopeful that he should be fine for the first Test.”But if not, it’s all right. We believe we have the squad to handle that. “Stacy isn’t anticipated to be available for the opening Test; in fact, he’s going to arrive in India a little bit later.”

Recalled batsman Peter Handscomb, who was forced to leave a T20 game on Tuesday night while injured, is the squad’s third cause for concern.

Despite receiving a hip injury, Handscomb didn’t leave the field until the next over, when he dropped to the ground after hitting a six. Pete will have a scan in the morning to look into that. He is certain that it isn’t something major,” Bailey told the press.

“A little accident. He simply took a ball to the back hip before dispatching one after three more and sensing a slight give in the area. “We’ll work through that as we acquire more information,” the captain said. “There’s still quite a bit of time before when we travel and even when the first test is.”

With Josh Inglis not being chosen for the tour, Handscomb, who has pushed his way back into Test calculations with 571 runs in five Sheffield Shield matches this season, is Alex Carey’s backup wicketkeeper in the 18-player team.

Inglis has played just five first-class games since the start of the 2021–22 summer due to spending the better part of 24 months with Australian teams in all three formats.

Inglis is now available to conclude the Marsh Sheffield Shield campaign with Western Australia, and Bailey clarified that Inglis’ absence is not an indication that the WA ‘keeper is falling behind in the standings. Josh is still unquestionably our backup or number two wicketkeeper, according to Bailey.But we also recognize thatWe prioritized getting Josh on a plane and over to India if he needed to replace Kez (Alex Carey) for a Test match because we know Pete Handscomb, who is now on tour, could step in for a day if something extremely short-term occurred.

In an effort to win in Indian conditions for the first time in over two decades, Australia has chosen four spinners for the subcontinent tour. If Australia decides to play two spinners, Nathan Lyon, a veteran of 115 Test matches, will captain the tweakers. However, it is unknown who will partner Lyon.

Test subject Ashton Agar, Todd Murphy, a 22-year-old off-spinner, and Mitchell Swepson, a legspinner, have all been granted a Murphy has a chance to join Lyon as the 465th male Test player for Australia, but Bailey noted that the playing circumstances and his ability to distinguish himself from Lyon will be key considerations.

He has a shot to play, Bailey declared. “He has earned his position via his performances, therefore this is clearly not a development tour. “There is no doubt that it is in doubt whether he can play alongside Nathan Lyon.

However, they differ from one another in terms of off-spinners, therefore I don’t believe you are necessarily looking at the same kind of bowler.

Agar returned to the Australia XI for the Sydney Test last week and played his first Test in five years, but he failed to pick up a wicket as the host team sought out day five wickets.

While Agar was chosen ahead of Swepson for Sydney, Bailey claims that Swepson is still held in high respect. Swepson played four Tests on Australia’s tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2022. Of Agar, Bailey stated, “We would certainly like to have the option of a left arm orthodox in India.” “It was fantastic that we were able to get Ash a game” (in Sydney).

He hasn’t played a lot of red-ball cricket, therefore in terms of horse racing, I believe he will perform better on the run. Sweep is on the tour because we believe he can be a good leg-spinner if we feel the need.