Brad Haddin believes the simplest solution to Australia’s injury crisis is to bring Cameron Green into Australia’s XI for their final group game against Afghanistan.
Australia’s T20 World Cup defense took another twist on Monday night as captain Aaron Finch, star all-rounder and flawless batsman Tim David suffered hamstring injuries.
Neither hamstring injury appears to be significant, but Australia’s selectors are unlikely to arrive with the first semi-final (November 10) more than a week away.
It has left Australia with a few decisions to make in the lead-up to their must-win final group game, with their place in the semi-finals still far from sealed.
Even if they defeat Afghanistan and continue to climb their rankings and improve their Net Run-Rate, Australia’s selectors may decide to rest their key trio and hope they get over their hamstring tweaks by the time the semi-finals of next week. .
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Australia captain Aaron Finch is in danger of missing part of the T20 World Cup. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
They have depth, with all-rounder Cameron Green and batsman Steve Smith among two of the stars of Australia’s wider squad yet to be called up.
Finch’s injury looks the worst and considering he is the captain, Australia’s selectors could take a cautious approach with the veteran opener as the knockout stage of the tournament is just around the corner.
“A little bit of a puncture, so I’ll have scans tomorrow,” Finch said after the game.
“Unfortunately, I’ve had a history of them. It doesn’t feel too bad.”
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Smith, speaking on Tuesday, said he was confident of replicating his feats from the 2015 ODI World Cup success at home, but added that Green was a compelling option if they went with his younger teammate .
“He’s very talented, isn’t he?” Smith said of Green.
“We saw how he played in India in particular, opened the batting, went after it and got out. This is another route the selectors will go down if the boys don’t come through. So there are plenty of options and good depth in our squad.
“I loved 2015, the end of that tournament, it’s been a long time, but I think I got over 50 in the last four or five games of that World Cup,” he said.
“I know that when it comes to the pressure stages I would like to think that I do well in these situations. So if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll be ready to go.”
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Speaking to Triple M, former Australian vice-captain Haddin, who won the ODI World Cup in 2015, said Green was probably the favorite to come into the side if they only made the one change because he would be the least disruptive.
“This will be a really interesting selection because Afghanistan will be predominantly bowlers,” Haddin said. Triple M.
“You’ve got Rashid Khan and Mujeeb (Ur Rahman) who are their big X-factor players and Steve Smith plays better than anyone in the world, so you encourage him in the middle order and get Stoinis up top. because Marcus Stoinis of he’s been dynamo at the moment, he’s playing a very aggressive game, he’s comfortable in his role in the middle, so you want to move him up?
“On the other hand, you’ve got Cameron Green and we’ve seen Australia’s hunger to have him at the top of the order going into this tournament.
“The obvious replacement for me is Green up, that gives you another bowling option. You’ve got three quicks, three medium pace all-rounders, so you’ve got options with the ball. So I imagine Green’s the favourite.” .
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Green’s breakthrough came during the three-match tour of India last month, where the all-rounder smashed two half-centuries at the top of the order in David Warner’s absence.
Despite not being in the starting World Cup squad, the 23-year-old struggled to open against the West Indies and England as his hit-and-run approach backfired. It led to the likes of Mark Waugh and Michael Clarke blasting the decision to give Green chances ahead of Smith.
But Josh Inglis’ freak injury on the eve of the tournament paved the way for the rising star to be included in the World Cup squad.
Aaron Finch (R) is in danger of missing Australia’s mandatory T20 against Afghanistan. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
While Haddin said he would like to find a place in the XI for Smith, the former wicketkeeper added that Green was probably the favorite given the opportunities he was given in the opening games and the fact that he could be a direct exchange.
“I’d like to find a place for Steve Smith, but the way Australia played the games earlier in this tournament, giving Cameron Green as much time as possible at the top of the order (indicates he’s second choice) “. Haddin said.
“If he comes in, it’s a change, if Steve Smith comes in, there will be a couple of changes.”
Haddin added that the settled nature of the middle order meant Australia would be reluctant to trouble him.
“At the moment, I think Stoinis is playing a very good role in the middle. He’s confident, he’s aggressive,” Haddin said.
“(Glenn) Maxwell is starting to find some rhythm. You’re not going to move Matthew Wade because he’s played such a big role at seven. You could move Maxwell up, but then there’s two changes.
“I think the easiest thing is to bring Cameron Green up. It’s a great option that the selectors have and it’s a good option because you bring two good players.”