💪 Cameron Green Optimistic After Back Surgery, Prepares for County Cricket Return Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is feeling positive following his back surgery and is hopeful it will be the last major injury of his career. Speaking in Perth during Cricket Australia's fixture announcement for the 2025-26 summer, Green opened up about his recovery journey and his ambitions moving forward. 🏏 Green’s Return to Cricket: Green, 25, is gearing up to make his comeback for Gloucestershire in county cricket next week. He mentioned that he would have been fit to play in the Sheffield Shield final if Western Australia had qualified, highlighting his rapid recovery progress. His primary focus remains on returning to full fitness as both a batter and bowler, but he is open to being selected purely as a batter if needed. 🏆 WTC Final Ambitions: Green emphasized his willingness to adapt his role for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India, even if it means playing as a batter only. His batting prowess could still be a valuable asset in the English conditions at The Oval. Versatility and Flexibility: Green’s adaptability to bat anywhere in the order could give selectors some flexibility, especially considering his proven track record of stepping up in tough situations. 🌟 What It Means for Australia: With Green working his way back to full fitness, his inclusion in the WTC final squad as a specialist batter could still bolster the lineup. Should he regain his bowling capabilities, it would add further balance to the side. 🗣️ Cameron Green Reflects on Surgery and Recovery Journey Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has expressed his relief and optimism following successful back surgery, which he believes will secure his long-term cricketing future. Speaking during a press conference in Perth, Green detailed his rehabilitation process and shared his aspirations ahead of his return to county cricket with Gloucestershire. 🛠️ Surgery and Rehabilitation: Green described the surgery as "incredible" and is pleased with how smoothly the recovery has progressed: "I think I was probably off my legs for about two weeks. After that, I've been doing gym work for the last four or five months, been running for the last two months, been batting for the last month. It's been pretty seamless. So, yeah, pretty happy I got it done." The 25-year-old opted for surgery rather than a natural healing process, aiming to ensure his longevity in cricket: "It's for the long-term goal of playing cricket for as long as I can. Bowling for as long as I can. I got it for that reason, solely. Obviously, I could have healed over nine months, but I took the option to get the surgery, and hopefully, fingers crossed, that's the last of it." 💪 Confidence Boost from Fellow Cricketers: Green took inspiration and assurance from fellow cricketers Jason Behrendorff and Ben Dwarshuis, who underwent the same surgery and have since been injury-free: "Hearing from those guys that they've had no issues since is definitely encouraging." 🚫 No Bowling Yet: Green confirmed that he hasn’t started bowling yet and doesn’t expect to bowl in competitive matches until the next Sheffield Shield season in October. For now, his focus remains on returning as a batter: "I won’t be fit to bowl in a game until the start of the next Shield season." 🏏 Cameron Green’s Selection Dilemma Ahead of WTC Final Cameron Green is set to play a five-game stint for Gloucestershire as he pushes for selection in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa. Despite his remarkable performance as Australia’s No. 4 last year — including a stunning 174 not out against New Zealand — the rise of Steven Smith at that position has left Green’s spot uncertain. 📌 Where Will Green Fit In? With Smith firmly reestablished at No. 4 and Travis Head set to reclaim the No. 5 spot, Australia’s batting order poses a unique challenge. Adding to the complexity, Josh Inglis and Beau Webster have thrived in the middle order over the last three Tests. 💬 "I think we've got an ultra-successful top five, six, seven, so it's never easy," Green said. "But that's where you want it to be in a Test team." Given the current setup and Green’s inability to bowl until October, the Australian selectors might consider pushing him up to the top three, a role he hasn’t regularly performed at the international level. 💡 Possible Scenarios for Green's Inclusion: Top-Order Option: With no bowling duties, Green could potentially slot into No. 3 if selectors opt for extra stability at the top. Lower Middle-Order Role: He might still be considered at No. 6 or 7, leveraging his batting prowess despite not being an all-round option. Impact Player Off the Bench: Depending on conditions and the opposition, Australia might keep Green as a backup rather than a guaranteed starter.