There's still an outside chance that Cameron Green might be on team sheet for 1st India Test: Australia coach Andrew McDonald

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green was playing some sensational cricket before the 23-year-old was hit on his finger during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. He was then ruled out of the third Test against the Proteas and was in doubt for the India tour, but eventually made it to Australia’s 18-men squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Green was cleared to return back to action just a couple of days before Australia’s flight to India. He has been training with the squad ever since but there’s still doubt regarding his availability for the first Test in Nagpur. However, Australia coach Andrew McDonald in a press conference revealed that the all-rounder is making some significant improvement and thus, there’s still an outside chance for him to make it to the playing XI.

“He's made some significant steps forward in the last couple of days, probably to my surprise, so there's still an outside chance that everything going well he might be on the team sheet,” McDonald told reporters in Alur on Saturday as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“I wouldn't say he was in discomfort with his bowling, one of the deliveries jarred the bottom of the bat and that can create discomfort for anyone but there's a little bit of awareness around that finger,” the coach added.

Josh Hazlewood in doubt for the first Test

Like Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood can miss the first Test as well. The 32-year-old is yet to recover from an Achilles injury on his left leg, which he picked up in the third Test against South Africa last year. He hasn't been much active in the training so far and a decision on his availability will be taken on February 7, two days prior to the Nagpur Test. There’s a concern that he may miss the second Test in Delhi as well.

“Not sure about the first Test. It's still a few days away but it's sneaking up pretty quickly. Second one is obviously straight after as well. So, we'll play it by ear over the next week and next few days and hopefully Tuesday goes well,” Hazlewood said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

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