Australia undecided on XI as Steve Smith defends Cameron Green for SCG finale

Steve Smith launched an impassioned defence of allrounder Cameron Green but said the 26-year-old’s spot in Australia’s XI for the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG is not guaranteed. Smith said all options remain on the table, including the possibility of selecting both Green and Beau Webster and leaving out a specialist spinner for the third time in four Tests.

“We’ll figure out [the team] once we see the surface and see which way we want to go about it,” he said. With the urn already retained, World Test Championship points and the chance to send retiring Usman Khawaja out a winner are Australia’s primary incentives for the finale. Pressure has grown on Green, the youngest member of the squad.

He has been a useful bowling option this series but has struggled with the bat, averaging 18.7 with only one score above 24 in six innings. That highest score — 45 in Brisbane — was notably followed by a premeditated shot that left his stumps exposed and saw him bowled by Brydon Carse.

Smith sympathised with Green’s difficulties, noting he has frequently given himself starts but not capitalised and has been asked to bat in different roles. He also pointed to Green’s recent return from a long-term back injury and his form on the winter tour of the West Indies, where Green replaced Marnus Labuschagne at No 3 and was Australia’s third-top run-scorer.

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Sports, United States, Cricket, Ashes, Australia, Team Selection, Cameron Green