Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Will Australia choose Mitchell Marsh or Cameron Green for the 5th Test? | Cameron Green could be dropped for the first time in his career

With the final Test of the Ashes approaching, there is a growing sense that Cameron Green could be left out for the game. If it happens, it would be the first time that he will be dropped in his Test career.

Having made his red-ball debut for Australia in 2020, the all-rounder has missed games only due to injuries so far; a broken finger in December, 2022 and a small hamstring injury in this Ashes. However, it would largely depend on Mitchell Marsh’s fitness and availability as to whether Green features at The Oval.

Marsh suffered from soreness in the fourth Test and did not bowl on day three. However, Australia coach, Andrew McDonald, believes that the team needs their all-rounders to step up more often with the bat and that their batting is what he primarily demands from them.

“The team has played three quicks and one spinner and we have gone that way numerous times in the past. We have had the luxury of allrounders, or in particular Cameron Green, that’s changed the shape of the team over time. Runs were premium first and foremost,” McDonald said.

Mitchell Marsh, if fit, likely to be picked over Cameron Green if Australia select Todd Murphy or Michael Neser

Marsh has made a significant impact in the two games he has played so far this Ashes. He has bagged one ton and one fifty in four innings, along with a vital, unbeaten 31* off 107 balls in the third innings at Old Trafford.

Overall, he has scored 228 runs at an average of 76. With the ball, he has picked up two wickets in 18 overs, averaging 44.5.

On the contrary, Green averages a poor 20.6 with the bat and a mediocre 47 with the ball. He has scored only 103 runs across six innings and has taken five wickets in three games. If both are fit, there is little doubt that Marsh will be given the nod over a struggling Green.

Nevertheless, Green has the dressing room’s backing because of the immense promise he has shown so far in his 24-Test career. While the team’s coach thinks his batters are following the right processes and will get big scores anytime now, Marnus Labuschagne is of the opinion that Green is still young and he has done a decent job for someone playing in those challenging conditions for the first time.

“He’s still young, he’s still learning his trade, this is his first time in these conditions. With the IPL there wasn’t heaps of time to adjust but I think he’s doing a good job,” Labuschagne said during the fourth Test.

Green could be making way for Todd Murphy or Michael Neser at The Oval. Following Nathan Lyon’s injury, the Old Trafford game was the first time in 11 years that Australia went into a Test without a specialist spinner. They ended up conceding close to 600 runs and had no answers to the Bazball onslaught.

Murphy may be included to change the pace of the game. Neser is yet to get a game this Ashes. With Australia retaining the Ashes already after the fourth Test was drawn, the visitors could give the pacer an opportunity considering he can be handy with the bat too.

“Everyone’s on the table, every selection. And Michael knows that. He was a serious consideration here and he was under consideration at Leeds also, so you’re always sort of balancing those who are up and running in the series versus freshness,” McDonald added.

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