Smith locked in as Ashes skipper, Green’s injury explained

6 hours ago 3

Australia’s selection chair George Bailey has confirmed that Steve Smith will captain Australia in the Ashes until Pat Cummins is fit to do so, as the selectors moved to calm concerns around the fitness of Cameron Green.

On Friday, Green was withdrawn from the Australian ODI squad to face India and replaced with the in-form Marnus Labuschagne due to “side soreness”, a worrying sign after his first bowl in Sheffield Shield cricket following back surgery last year.

However, Bailey explained that scans had cleared Green of a strain, with medical staff and selectors concluding that avoiding a flight to Adelaide and playing in rounds three and four of the Shield for Western Australia was now his best buildup to play as an allrounder in the Ashes.

“It’s a very conservative decision around getting that right, playing Shield three and four and bringing the bowling online,” Bailey said.

“I don’t think he’s going to come out in the first Test and bowling 30 overs, but the expectation and plan that he’ll be able to participate as an allrounder in that first Test is still well on track.”

Smith returned to Australia from his New York base this week and was in the nets at Cricket NSW headquarters the day after his arrival.

He will play the next two rounds of Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW in Brisbane and Sydney, but in the meantime has been locked in by the selectors and the Cricket Australia board as the locum captain while Cummins recovers from a back problem.

“If Pat doesn’t play, Smudge will captain,” Bailey said. “That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked. Regardless of whether he’s playing, Pat’s keen to be around because if he’s not playing he’ll be rehabbing and getting ready and bowling, so he’ll be with the team anyway.

“So that information flow and working together as captain and vice-captain will remain the same.

“Steve landed and he was in at Cricket NSW the next day batting. So he’ll do his thing. We’ve tried to tailor everyone’s prep to suit them and certain obligations around that, but very comfortable he’ll be ready to go.”

Bailey added that the panel had encouraged Beau Webster not to rush back from a sprained ankle to ensure he is 100 per cent fit by the time the Ashes series comes around, hence his absence from this week’s game between Tasmania and WA.

Webster’s ability to offer an all round option has only gained importance, given the fitness concerns for Cummins and to a lesser degree Green.

“Those sorts of injuries, yeah you can come back and play on them, but it could stay grizzly and a bit niggly,” Bailey said. “If you’re suddenly battling on a sore ankle come second, third or fourth Test, take the extra time to get it right and you’re still going to get four hits of Shield cricket and plenty of bowling.”

The selectors will settle on their squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth after round three of the Shield, with Labuschagne, Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald and Test incumbent Sam Konstas all being closely watched by the panel.

“We’ve been glued to each game and individuals playing them,” Bailey said. “The final decision will come down to a few other factors as well in terms of that fit and balance of what we’re after.

“But I’d much rather be making the decision on the back of people scoring runs and having to work that out rather than no-one scoring them. Good problems to have.”

Labuschagne will finish the Shield game between South Australia and Queensland in Adelaide before flying to Perth as cover for the opening ODI against India on Sunday.

Alex Carey is remaining in Adelaide after the game but will return to the squad ahead of game two in Adelaide on Thursday. Josh Philippe is set to take the gloves in Perth, while Josh Inglis is in the latter stages of his recovery from a calf problem.

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