We are seeing Cameron Green as a long-term option at No. 3 in Tests: Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins has all but confirmed that Cameron Green will be given an extended run to cement his place as Australia's new No. 3 batter in Test cricket as Australia look to form a settled batting order ahead of the Ashes later in the year.

After recuperating following a back surgery, Green returned to international cricket during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa earlier this month. The all-rounder, who was playing as a specialist batter, was given the No. 3 role. Marnus Labuschagne, who has been Australia's No. 3 batter in recent years, was promoted as an opener. However, the move did not pay dividends as both players had forgettable outings in the marquee clash.

Green, however, has been asked not to worry about his performance against South Africa, where he scored 4 and 0 in the two innings and was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada on both occasions.

Green had a chance to drop back down to No. 4 for the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados due to Steven Smith's injury - the position where he made 174 not out against New Zealand last year - but the flamboyant Josh Inglis will fill that slot as part of a new-look top four that includes the recalled Sam Konstas.

"I always like to not have too many moving parts. We see that [Green at No. 3] as a long-term option. I think going into last week he's hitting the ball really well, he's moving really well. He had a Test match where it obviously didn't go to plan. Think he only faced three or four balls, so the message is not to look into that too much. We're really happy with where his game's placed and I dare say we'll get a decent run of No. 3," Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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Labuschagne, who has been dropped from the side to face the West Indies, will have to score a lot of runs in the Sheffield Shield season in order to push for a recall ahead of the Ashes.

"I think him at his best is a well and truly an international standard Test batter. If there's an opening we could see him fighting his way back into the Test team at some point. Obviously the focus now is giving a couple of other guys a go. He's had a pretty good run and obviously didn't make the most of it as well as he would like, so [we are] offering that opportunity to the next couple of guys," Cummins said.