The easy option for the Test selectors might simply be to swap one Cameron for another.
Uncertainty over Cameron Green’s back injury means there could be a spot in the batting line-up up for grabs after he was forced to fly home early from the recent one-day series in England.
Given that the 25-year-old has a history of stress fractures, most recently in 2019-20, he could be placed in cotton wool this summer or only be able to play as a specialist batter and with question marks over Mitchell Marsh’s bowling at Test level, Green’s injury presents plenty of headaches.
There will surely be no risks taken with the fitness of a player who rates as Australia’s most valuable long-term asset.
All of which casts a rather ominous cloud over his prospects of being available for selection for the first Test in the blockbuster series against India, to be played at Perth’s Optus Stadium from November 22.
Depending on the severity of his injury, he could retain his No.4 position as a specialist batter, at least until he is cleared to resume the invaluable change-bowler role that has thus far delivered 34 wickets in his 28 Tests.
With a respectable Test batting average of 36.23, including two centuries, and a first-class average of 47.8 (highest score 251), it is no great stretch to declare Green could earn his keep on the strength of runscoring alone.
No less a judge than Greg Chappell has already predicted on numerous occasions that he is on track to become Australia’s next great batter.
But in the worst-case scenario, if he was ruled out of the series opener against India, who would be the best option to replace him?
The logical course of action might simply be to reinstate Cameron Bancroft at the top or the order, allowing Steve Smith to slide back to second drop, after his underwhelming return of 171 at an average of 28.5 in his four Tests as opener.
In saying that, Smith’s lone hand of 91 not out in the shock loss to the West Indies at the Gabba last summer was arguably as good an innings as he has played.
Western Australia’s Cameron Bancroft. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
Nonetheless, the drums are beating loudly that Smith will return to No.4, the position from which he has delivered 19 of his 32 Test centuries.
If Green is unavailable, Smith dropping down the order could provide a quick fix, in which case Australia will need a partner up top for the evergreen Usman Khawaja.
Bancroft has overcome unprecedented, much-publicised setbacks throughout his career to give himself genuine hope of winning a recall and adding to his eight-Test tally.
Nobody has scored more prolifically over the past two Sheffield Shield seasons than the 31-year-old, who has churned out 1723 runs at an average of 53.82 over that period.
His contributions have helped WA secure three consecutive Shield and Marsh Cup titles, as well as a couple of Big Bash League triumphs for the Perth Scorchers.
He has continued that form with Gloucester during the Australian winter, racking up 832 runs at 48.94 with three tons in the English county championship.
True, his Test average of 26.23 is underwhelming, but the infamous “Sandpapergate” incident and suspension did his cause no good whatsoever. It might well have broken a lesser man.
So a recall for Bancroft makes plenty of sense, not least because it would rate as one of the great feelgood stories.
But there is another left-field option, if Australia’s selectors are willing to think outside the square.
It’s seven years since Glenn Maxwell played a Test. More than 12 months since he last appeared in a red-ball match, for Warwickshire against Kent.
Glenn Maxwell. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The 35-year-old has evolved into a white-ball specialist, pocketing multiple millions of dollars in the process.
But he is reportedly under consideration for Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka next year and, if Green is unavailable, maybe it’s time for the selectors to expedite that gamble.
Maxwell has seven Tests to his name and a batting average of just 26.07, but he has scored a Test century in India.
He knows India’s bowlers better than anyone, after all his years in the IPL.
And they know him too. Few players in the world arrive at the crease exuding Maxwell’s intimidating aura.
Imagine what damage he could do on Australian pitches (he’s never played a Test at home), coming in at six or seven against an old ball.
He could potentially turn matches in a session, as Adam Gilchrist did so regularly in his heyday. Maxwell would worry the hell out of India.
If he was to come off just once across a full series, Australia could almost guarantee on banking a Test victory.
Likewise, 12 months down the track, he would give Australia enough ammunition to fight fire with fire when they host England’s free-wheeling Bazballers.
Throw in his handy off-spinners and the safest pair of hands in cricket – he’s taken more than 400 catches across his professional career – and you have a complete package, dripping with genuine X-factor.
Maxewll is unavailable for the opening Sheffield Shield round for Victoria which starts on Tuesday but is set to line up in their second match against NSW.
Australia’s selectors, in recent times, have appeared a conservative bunch with little inclination to pick players on a whim.
But they say fortune favours the brave and, by choosing Maxwell, Australia would not only have a potential wildcard in their ranks, but also a priceless psychological advantage against any team they play.
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