If fit, Cameron Green to debut in 1st Test, confirms Justin Langer; ducks 'tough' selection calls

All-rounder Cameron Green will make his Test debut in Adelaide if he recovers from the mild concussion he suffered in the tour game against India, coach Justin Langer confirmed in the press conference. Langer spoke highly of Green’s capabilities as an all-rounder and said that he has earned the right to play on the back of consistent performances in the Sheffield Shield.

“He's a terrific young bloke, he's obviously an excellent talent, he's earned the right for selection through his performances through Sheffield Shield cricket. If he's fit and available then he'll make his Test debut, which is very, very exciting for Australian cricket, for him and his family," Langer said in the virtual press conference.

Langer detailed the level of Green’s progress in the path of recovery from the concussion after getting hit in one of the most unusual ways while bowling to Jasprit Bumrah. Langer said that Green will have to pass through all the tests mandatory as per the concussion protocols and if he is able to pass through all of them, a Baggy Green is waiting for him in Adelaide.

"If he's passed fit he'll definitely play. We're just going through the concussion protocols. We all saw it was a very unusual incident that happened with him. If Cameron gets through the protocols and he gets through training and he feels good, I've seen him last night, he had a big smile on his face, he had another test this morning that we got good news,” Langer added.

Opening conundrum

The hosts have other selection conundrums as well and the top order is certainly one of them with the incumbent Joe Burns struggling awfully with lack of runs. 

There have been discussions about one of Matthew Wade or Marnus Labuschagne shifting to the top of the order but Langer ruled out promotion of Labuschagne to open the innings. 

“Marnus won't be opening. He's done an amazing job at number three, Steven Smith does an amazing job at number four, we're going to try and stay as settled as possible," Langer said of Labuschange’s batting position in the Adelaide Test.

However, he did not disclose the plan of action on Wade as an opener or continuing with Joe Burns and gave mixed signals talking highly of both of them. He suggested that Burns is still rated highly by the team but also hinted that his lack of runs can’t be overlooked going into an all-important Test series against India and that a final decision of him will be taken in due course of time.

"I've been privately and publicly backing Joe in the whole time, he's a very good player, you don't lose your talent overnight. He also understands though runs are the greatest currency of value to any player. We'll make our decision on who's going to open in the next day or so," Langer said of Joe Burns.

Langer was immensely impressed with the character shown by Matthew Wade, whom he called ‘Mr Fix It’ and said that took his advice of ‘hammering the doors down’ by a truckload of runs in the Sheffield Shield and showing the skills and determination to help the team in tough situations.

“Matthew Wade is almost becoming 'Mr Fix It', he's so well regarded. He's a very, very important part of our team … he's got good footwork, he's tough and he can also counter-attack, we know how aggressive he can be,” Langer said of Wade.

On the question of Wade's credentials to open the batting at the Adelaide Oval, Langer was subtle and did not reveal what exactly is going on in the hosts camp but he was not short of backing Wade to succeed at the top of the order in case he is asked to do so by the team.

"He can definitely do it; we've just got to work out what the best makeup of our team is going to be," Langer said.

While the bowling attack of the hosts should be a settled line up with the return of Mitchell Starc into the squad, coach Justin Langer, captain Tim Paine and selectors have their task cut as they face some tough decisions with the absence of David Warner and Will Pucovski and Joe Burns’ lack of form has only complicated matters for the hosts.

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