Cameron Green set for Test debut if he passes fitness test, confirms Justin Langer

Australia head coach Justin Langer has confirmed that Cameron Green will make his Test debut in the Day-Night Adelaide Test, starting December 17, provided he passes the fitness test. In the pink-ball warm-up match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Green showed mild concussion symptoms after copping a blow on the head by a shot from Jasprit Bumrah.

After showing the symptoms, Green had to be substituted out and is currently being monitored by Cricket Australia’s medical team. The 21-year-old couldn’t do much in the second warm-up match, but in the first, he managed an unbeaten 125 and also picked up the crucial wickets of openers Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill.

Cameron Green has earned the right for selection, says Justin Langer

“If he’s passed fit, he’ll definitely play. We’re just going through the concussion protocols. It was a very unusual incident that happened to him. I saw him last night, he had a big smile on his face, he had another test this morning that we got good news on him. He’s earned the right for selection. If he’s fit and available, he’ll make his Test debut,” Langer was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

The Aussie team management is a tad worried over Joe Burns’ form, but Langer has shown faith in him ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Burns scored only five runs, including two ducks, across four innings in the two warm-up matches.

“I have been backing Joe for the whole time. He’s a very good player, you don’t lose your talent overnight. He also understands that runs are the greatest currency to any player and he’s been a bit light on. We’ll get eyes on him today, see how he’s going, have a chat to him and we’ll make our decision on who will open in the next day or so,” he added.

Langer also stated that Marnus Labuschagne won’t be opening the batting and will be slotted at number three with Steve Smith at number four. Ahead of the Test series, the hosts have been jolted with blows after David Warner and Sean Abbott were ruled out of the first Test owing to injuries. Moises Henriques has been called up to the squad.