The injury crisis in the Australian team has been deepening ahead of the first Test match against India starting on February 9. All-rounder Cameron Green is on the injury list and is unexpected to play in the series opener.
Earlier fast bowlers, Starc and Hazlewood, have been declared unfit to play in the first Test. The Australian fast bowling all-rounder suffered a finger injury during the series against South Africa, so he can’t bowl, but he may be included in the team as a specialist batter.
Steve Smith said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday that Green has not faced a single bowl of fast bowlers in the nets recently due to a finger injury. He went on to say that, he is not likely to be included in the final eleven in the four match (BGT) series.
The Nagpur track is looking dry two days before the start of the first Test. Australia is set to include two quicks and two spinners. Slow bowlers will have to bowl long spells, according to Smith.
“It seems there is no bounce in the pitch, and I believe for the seamers it will be quite skiddy and maybe a bit of up-and-down movement as the game progresses,” he added.
Scott Boland and Lance Morris will certainly play in the opening Test in the absence of Starc and Hazlewood.
Australia is set to play the final of the World Test Championship, because it is on top in the points table, while India will have to win the Test Series to cement its place in the final, which will take place later this year in England.