Relief for Australia as Green returns after retiring hurt in IPL

Australia appear to have avoided any significant injury concerns after Cameron Green was able to resume his innings in the IPL Qualifier against Gujarat Titans on Friday.

Green left the field in the second over of Mumbai Indians’ chase when he was struck just below his left elbow by Hardik Pandya from a delivery clocked at 146 kilometres per-hour. He was initially treated in the middle by the physio before retiring hurt but was not absent for long when he returned in the seventh over with his forearm taped up.

He did not appear impeded at the crease as he collected two sixes in a brisk 30 before falling to Josh Little in the 12th over at a vital moment in the chase.

Despite another superb display from Suryakumar Yadav, Mumbai eventually fell well short in their steep chase to bring an end to their IPL which means Green will be able to head to the United Kingdom to link with the Test squad, who also left Australia on Friday.

The balance that Green brings to the Test side is vital for Australia, and his absence was clearly felt in the final Test of last season against South Africa and the first two matches in India, when he was recovering from a broken finger.

He will only have a short period to adjust his game from T20 mode, but coach Andrew McDonald said through the early stages of his career, Green had shown how quickly he could learn and adapt.

“The challenge for Cam (Green) now is as he starts to become a three-format player is how he focuses (on) that, shifts between formats, and he’s going to have another challenge in front of him going deep into the IPL finals to get ready for the World Test Championship match,” McDonald told SEN Radio.

“So, that will be a challenge for him, but he’s a fast learner and every hurdle he’s got over so far.” Australia will name their 15-player squad for the World Test Championship final against India today, with the biggest question mark hanging over Josh Hazlewood.

Mitchell Marsh also returned early from the IPL, having suffered a minor adductor injury. — Cricinfo.