Cameron Green is set to become the odd man out as Marcus Stoinis returns in Australia’s World Cup clash against South Africa amid burnout fears for the 24-year-old.
That is according to a report from News Corp which claims “there are concerns inside Australian cricket circles” that Green’s gruelling schedule has left him “fried”.
Earlier this year, Green signed a $3.15 million to play with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
David Warner had suggested last November that the workload could prove too much for the young all-rounder, who also went on to play in the Ashes and ODIs against South Africa and India.
Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live with no ad breaks in play on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
“Nineteen weeks straight in India, being your first trip there as well, can be quite challenging – from the heat perspective, the playing, the recovery,” Warner said at the time.
“… From a youngster’s point of view it’s totally up to him, it’s his decision to make. For the longevity of him and his career, it’s a big call for him as a youngster.”
Even Australia head coach Andrew McDonald admitted Green’s workload was a cause for “concern”, adding the topic had been raised with the 24-year-old “several times”.
Of course, the decision to leave Green out is as much about burnout concerns as it is the fact Stoinis is now fit to return from a hamstring injury.
Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed as much ahead of Wednesday’s game against South Africa.
“He’s fit so yeah, we’ll announce a team tomorrow but it’s a ground he knows pretty well,” said Cummins of Stoinis, who plays for the Lucknow team in the Indian Premier League.
“I think chatting to him and a couple of other guys, it’s probably in a bit of a different condition to what it is for the IPL. The wicket looks really good.”
MORE: Aussie WC boost as Stoinis set to be unleashed amid stars’ training no-show
Australia will, however, continue to be without opener Travis Head, nursing a hand injury.
Former Australian Test captain Michael Clarke was hardly surprised by the news of Green’s likely omission, adding there was always the fear his schedule could prove too much to handle.
“It happens. I think that conversation was had when he signed his IPL deal,” he said on Sky Sports’ ‘Big Sports Breakfast’.
“There’s every chance if you’re playing all three formats for Australia and IPL, you’re either going to get injured or you’re going to be extremely tired. It’s going to be hard to get through the season.
“You’re going to have those ups and downs. I think it’s a headline for why he’s probably going to get dropped for this game. His form hasn’t been great.
“Marcus Stoinis is now fully fit so it sounds like that’s going to be the change. They’re just going to go with the three all-rounders — Mitchell Marsh opening the batting and bowl, Marcus Stoinis into the middle order [to] bat and bowl and Maxwell bat [and] bowl, which I think is a smarter selection rather than going Cameron Green as well and dropping Pat Cummins for example… but interesting to see what this wicket is like.”
Cummins somehow misses the pitch | 00:33
Clarke said the condition of the wicket is “going to be the difference”, declaring it would be a “disaster” if Australia went on to miss out on the World Cup semi-finals.
“Unfortunately the position we’re in, we probably have to pick three quicks but if conditions are like they were in Chennai the other night, it’s a bad selection,” Clarke added.
“You need another spinner but we haven’t got that. A massive game tonight.”
Speaking of workload, Cummins described the World Cup as the “most physically taxing” format for fast bowlers as batsmen pile up record scores around India.
With just six of 45 days ticked off, the 2023 tournament has already seen South Africa score the highest ever World Cup total of 428.
That came against Sri Lanka in New Delhi where the two innings produced a tournament record 754 runs.
Aiden Markram clubbed the fastest World Cup century in 49 balls in that game while, on Tuesday, Pakistan chased down a record target of 345 to beat Sri Lanka.
In a further bout of misery for bowlers, 10 centuries have been scored over the first eight games.
Rahul robs himself of a ton after 6! | 00:31
“It’s actually quite a physical format, I find it probably the most physically taxing if you’re playing two or three games in a week,” said Cummins.
“We’re doing 15kms in a 50-over match. I think in T20, if you bowl one really good over, that can be match-winning.
“In one-day cricket, that’s not normally the case. And it’s rare that the conditions are really in the bowler’s favour, which is fine. It’s just a challenge you’ve got to try and deal with.”
Unlike Australia’s struggles in their opener, South Africa had three centurions — Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Markram — firing against Sri Lanka.
“They’ve always got some fast bowlers and some batters that take the game on, maybe a leg-spinner. So, it always feels like it’s a clash of two very similar teams,” said Cummins.
#Australia #South #Africa #ODI #start #time #watch #team #news #Marcus #Stoinis #injury #Cameron #Green #dropped
