McDonald Defends Cameron Green’s Test Credentials Before Bangladesh

Australia’s selector McDonald has defended Cameron Green’s record in Tests as the all-rounder is tipped to fill the vacant No.5 spot against Bangladesh.

A flexible career so far

Green is the only player under 30 in Australia’s 13-man Test squad. He has played 37 Tests since debuting in 2020 and has batted at nearly every position from No.3 to No.7. McDonald said the movement reflected both form and the team’s needs, and believes Green is very skilled and that some of his performances have been taken out of context. He added that Green and much of the top seven have contributed in conditions that have not favoured batters.

The No.5 question

Green is now the leading candidate for No.5. He hinted at a return to form with a century in a domestic match in Sydney in March, but his recent international outings have drawn criticism, including a poor T20 World Cup and a disappointing IPL stint after being signed as the tournament’s most expensive overseas player.

McDonald said that for any all-rounder in the top six or seven, batting is the primary job and bowling an extra option. When Australia settle on the XI for the first Test, he said, the aim will be to shore up the runs. He added that performance will guide the decision.

Darwin awaits

The first Test begins in Darwin on August 13, giving Green a chance to cement his place in the middle order.