Home

Cam Green: West Australian all-rounder considering radical surgery that would rule him out for entire summer

Headshot of Jackson Barrett
Jackson BarrettThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Cam Green watches on during WA’s Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.
Camera IconCam Green watches on during WA’s Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Test teammate Marnus Labuschagne believes Cam Green will return from a back injury a better player as a call on the all-rounder’s availability this summer looms.

Growing concern over the seriousness of Green’s back injury — which he picked up on Australia’s white-ball tour of the United Kingdom last month — have hung over the first round of Sheffield Shield matches this week.

Speaking after Queensland shooks hands for a draw with Western Australia on Friday, Labuschagne

“You always feel bad for people when they get injured, especially when it’s someone you’re close with and someone that’s a big part of our Test team,” he said.

“But you never know, there is always a silver lining with everything that happens and we’re not sure what that is yet, but maybe with a bit of time of, a bit of rest, he can come back even better than the Cam Green we have seen.

“Obviously I hope it’s a speedy recovery.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: Marnus Labuschagne of Queensland dives to field the ball on Day 3 during the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA Ground, on October 10, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Camera IconMarnus Labuschagne dives in the field. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Green is weighing up going in for surgery that would almost certainly rule him out of this summer’s blockbuster Test series against India and Australia’s red-ball tour of Sri Lanka in January.

That operation would be the same one undertaken by a number of other Australian fast bowlers, including fellow West Aussie Jason Behrendorff, James Pattinson and Jason Behrendorff.

Those players have been sent to New Zealand-based surgeons Grahame Inglis and Rowan Schouten.

The procedure involves using titanium and screws to bind the spine together.

The 25-year-old was on hand at the WACA Ground on Friday, watching WA teammates on the final day of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.

Green reportedly met with Cricket Australia staff late on Thursday as they consider their options.

Selectors will then be faced with an important call over team balance for the five-Test series against India.

It appears Steve Smith no longer wants the role, and Green’s absence would open the door for him to slide back to No.4.

However, concerns over bowling loads could mean they turn to an all-rounder, with Tasmania’s Beau Webster, WA’s Aaron Hardie, and Queensland bowler Michael Neser among those potential candidates.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails