Border Gavaskar Trophy: Cameron Green won’t be bowling in the 1st Test, says Pat Cummins

Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed that all-rounder Cameron Green will not bowl in the first Test against India. Australia will take on India in a four-match Test series starting on February 9. Cummins said next week is really important for Green's recovery and insisted he will not play for Australia in the first Test match at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. “I know he won’t be bowling (in the first Test). The next week’s obviously really important,” said Cummins.

The world number one Test bowler said Green was still recovering from his injury and added that he hoped Green would return to fitness quickly. “He hasn’t been able to do a lot yet. I think the nature of that particular injury is once it comes good, it comes good really quickly. Hopefully, we’re at that stage where the next week, it really does improve a lot,” Cummins added.

Cummins went on to praise Australia's pace bowling attack and said he backed Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland to do a fantastic job despite the spin-friendly conditions in India. “I doubt that’s kind of an option for the first Test, but we’ll wait and see with the conditions. Again, you look at our team, players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, they’re top-class bowlers, so even though it might be spinning conditions, it’s hard to bet against those guys not doing a fantastic job,” said Cummins.

Australia, who are number one in Test cricket, are looking to challenge India's dominance at home. The visitors, who have not won in India since 2004-05, also face pressure against India after losing the last two series at home, including breaching the Gabba fortress.