The absence of all-rounder Cameron Green will change Australia’s bowling dynamics for the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy and may increase spinner Nathan Lyon’s workload, according to star pacer Mitchell Starc. Green will undergo surgery to address his back-related troubles which will keep him out of action for at least six months. While Australia have another all-round option in Mitchell Marsh ready to share the workload, Starc admitted that Green’s unavailability changes the equation.

“It will always change the dynamic when you take a genuine allrounder like a Cameron Green, or with England when you take a Ben Stokes, out,” Starc was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“When you have that genuine all-rounder who has been part of a group for a while … you get into a bit of a routine of having that extra bowling option.

“I don’t know what the dynamic of that line-up is going to be, there is a lot of talk around that opening spot and Mitch (Marsh) bowling as well,” he said.

Starc said the issue isn’t something which Australia have not dealt before.

“It’s not completely foreign. We’ve had series in the past where we haven’t had an all-rounder at all,” he said.

“We’ve had to take some of that workload, and Gaz (Nathan Lyon) has probably had to bowl a bit extra as well.

“That’s been the mindset for a number of years now, with overseas tour or a home series and the mentality of how gruelling a summer or series can be.” Starc said the gap days between the five Tests against India will be crucial for the bowlers as Australia look to reclaim hold on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for first time in a decade.

“It’s been spoken about, if you have four or five Tests that go four days, the extra day between games… There is obviously a big gap between the first and second Test and the third and fourth Test. That may play a part as well,” he said.

“We don’t know what wickets we’ll get, we don’t know how successful or unsuccessful we will be.” “There are too many factors to sit here at the start and say this is what is going to happen. But there are certainly times where you feel the grind of five Tests.” Starc backed young batter Sam Konstas to excel at the highest level after impressive returns in Sheffield Shield.

“There’s no reason (for him) not to (handle it). He’s obviously got the talent, got the work ethic, he’s a lovely young man. If he’s not picked this summer then I am sure runs on the board will help him in the long run,” he said.

Australia’s Test and ODI captain, Pat Cummins, has expressed deep sympathy for teammate Cameron Green, who is currently dealing with back stress fractures. Unlike Cummins, who did not opt for surgery for a similar issue, Green has decided to undergo the prescribed procedure to stabilize his condition. Cummins acknowledged the challenges faced by the 25-year-old all-rounder, who aspires to excel in both batting and bowling. “Really sympathetic,” Cummins was quoted as saying to The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We want him bowling, Cam wants to be bowling, and he has a long career ahead of him. So it’s about trying to place Cam the cricketer in the best position he can be to have the career that he’s hoping for. He’s young, so I’m sure he’ll be right in the long run,” he added.

Cummins highlighted the inherent risks of fast bowling, acknowledging the injuries that often accompany the pursuit of speed.

“Bowling and trying to bowl fast is unfortunately fraught with injuries. In some ways, the hardest thing is missing cricket and seeing games go by that you could have been part of, but also it can be a pretty lonely way back,” Cummins noted.

Reflecting on the rehabilitation process, Cummins noted, “You don’t just set the clock and suddenly, you’re back. There is a bit of work to get back, rehabbing and building up as well. It’s always a challenge.”

Understanding Green’s predicament, Cummins added, “It looks like Greeny is going to have that situation, which is not uncommon for him unfortunately, so he knows what needs to be done, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

Cummins’ words underscore the support within the Australian team for Green as he navigates this challenging period in his career, aiming to return stronger and continue contributing as a key player for the team.

Virat Kohli (left) and Cameron Green at innings break of RCB vs KKR, IPL 2024 game.© X (formerly Twitter)