Green light to prioritise Tests over short format

ALL- ROUND prodigy Cameron Green is set to be released from Australia’s white ball squad this week to focus on pushing for a Test debut.

Green is expected to be parachuted into the Australia A side that will take on India A in a first- class match at Drummoyne Oval next Saturday, rather than staying around for the Twenty20 internationals.

He is still set to travel with the white ball squad to Canberra ahead of Wednesday’s final ODI, but return to Sydney after to join up with the Australia A side to be skippered by Test captain Tim Paine in a three- day game.

There was some shock on Sunday when selectors opted for Moises Henriques as Marcus Stoinis’ injury replacement in the second ODI, rather than using it as a chance to blood 21year- old Green for his first taste of international cricket.

ODI captain Aaron Finch said Green needed more bowling before being considered for international cricket.

“Cam has been bowling a little bit but hasn’t gone to that next level in the amount of overs he has bowled just yet,” said Finch.

Green would appear to be at long odds to play the first Test against India on December 17 in Adelaide with Travis Head and Matthew Wade entrenched as middle- order stars.

However, two Australia A matches against the Indians in the meantime give Green the chance to build his bowling levels up to a point where coach Justin Langer and selectors might be comfortable to play at the MCG or SCG.

Green’s limited overs record isn’t anything flash, so there may also be a feeling that he’s better left out of the white ball formats.

The 2m talent had back stress fracture issues last summer and only returned to bowling this year.

Green bowled in two Sheffield Shield matches for Western Australia last month.