Australia coach Andrew McDonald has backed Cameron Green to handle spin on the upcoming tour of India, dismissing concerns over the all-rounder's struggles against off-spinner Simon Harmer in Cape Town.
The tourists collapsed to 111 all out on Saturday after Harmer took 6-16, with Green bowled by the spinner after never looking comfortable at the crease. McDonald said the Cape Town scenario had shifted Green into a draw mentality, and he was unable to get into a rhythm against Harmer.
"He's a good player of spin. He's got good reach. He's able to sweep. He's able to use his feet as well in amongst all that reach," McDonald said. "So I'm very confident that whatever challenges he comes up against in whatever conditions, that he will be able to succeed."
Green has previously scored a century in Ahmedabad in 2023 and a 77 on a turning Galle pitch in 2022. McDonald said the Galle innings came in extreme conditions and involved a different game plan and method. In Cape Town, Pat Cummins insisted he and Mitchell Starc had not been shielding Green from Harmer, but that Green was protecting them from facing the quick bowlers. Green faced 13 balls from the off-spinner, producing two edges, one dropped catch, two runs and a dismissal.
McDonald also addressed the future of Steve Smith, who missed the Cape Town Test with a neck injury and failed to reach 30 in any innings during his toughest tour in South Africa. The coach said he had seen no signs of the 37-year-old being ready to walk away, and the team is planning for Smith to play in the first home Test against New Zealand in Perth in December. Smith has declined to guarantee his long-term future, preferring to take his career series by series.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Green's ability to play spin is central to Australia's plans, with the all-rounder viewed as a natural fit at No. 4 when Steve Smith retires.
- A strong India tour would consolidate his place; another collapse could intensify scrutiny of Australia's long-standing issues against spin.
- Smith's fitness and form in Perth will determine how quickly that transition happens.
Background
Australia's tour of India is a key assignment for a team with a history of struggling on turning wickets. Green's previous success in India and Sri Lanka offers some reassurance, but his Cape Town struggles show spin remains a challenge. Smith, meanwhile, is expected to return for the home series against New Zealand after missing the South Africa Test.
Key Perspectives
Andrew McDonald (on Green): Confident Green will succeed against any spin challenge, citing his reach, ability to sweep and use his feet.
Pat Cummins: Insisted he and Mitchell Starc were not shielding Green from Harmer; Green was protecting them from the quicks.
Andrew McDonald (on Smith): Has seen no signs the 37-year-old is ready to retire, and the team is planning for him to play against New Zealand in Perth.
What to Watch
- Whether Smith is named for the Perth Test and how he performs in Shield cricket before that.
- Green's returns against spin during the India tour, especially in the middle order.
- How Australia arrange their batting order when Smith eventually steps away.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedMcDonald is confident Green will succeed against spin in India.The Age - Latest News: ““So I’m very confident that whatever challenges he comes up against in whatever conditions, that he will be able to succeed.””
- SupportedThe coach is planning for Smith to play in the first home Test against New Zealand in Perth in December.The Age - Latest News: ““We are planning him to play against New Zealand in Perth.””
- SupportedMcDonald said: “He's a good player of spin. He's got good reach. He's able to sweep. He's able to use his feet as well in amongst all that reach,” and “So I'm very confident that whatever challenges he comes up against in whatever conditions, that he will be able to succeed.”The Age - Latest News: ““He’s a good player of spin. He’s got good reach. He’s able to sweep. He’s able to use his feet as well in amongst all that reach,” McDonald said. “So I’m very confident that whatever challenges he comes up against in whatever conditions, that he will be able to succeed.””
- Not in the sourcesGreen is an all-rounder.The Age - Latest News: “Cameron Green looks a natural fit for Australia at No.4 once Steve Smith retires.”
- SupportedAustralia were all out for 111 on Saturday after Harmer took 6-16.The Age - Latest News: “Australia’s age-old frailties against the turning ball were brought back to the fore again on Saturday in Cape Town, as Simon Harmer’s 6-16 ripped the heart out of the tourists. Green found himself largely at the centre of the problem, never looking comfortable against the offspinner before being bowled by him in the collapse to all out for 111.”
- SupportedGreen was bowled by Harmer after never looking comfortable at the crease.The Age - Latest News: “Green found himself largely at the centre of the problem, never looking comfortable against the offspinner before being bowled by him in the collapse to all out for 111.”
- SupportedMcDonald said the Cape Town scenario shifted Green into a draw mentality and he could not get into a rhythm against Harmer.The Age - Latest News: ““This scenario shifted him into a draw mentality (in Cape Town). He wasn’t able to get into a rhythm against Harmer.””
- SupportedGreen has scored a century in Ahmedabad in 2023 and 77 on a turning Galle pitch in 2022.The Age - Latest News: “Green scored a century on a flat Ahmedabad wicket in India in 2023, while arguably the best innings of his career was a 77 on ragging Galle pitch in 2022.”
- Partly supportedMcDonald said Green’s Galle innings came in extreme conditions and involved a different game plan and method.The Age - Latest News: ““If I take it back to Galle where he got that 70-odd in extreme conditions, you probably have a different game plan and method there,” McDonald said.”
- SupportedCummins said he and Starc had not been shielding Green from Harmer; rather, Green was protecting them from facing the quick bowlers.The Age - Latest News: “Cummins insisted afterwards that he and Mitchell Starc had not been shielding Green from spin, but rather Green was protecting them from facing the quicks.”
- SupportedGreen faced Harmer for 13 balls, with two edges, one dropped catch, two runs and a dismissal.The Age - Latest News: “Even still, Green’s 13 balls facing Harmer resulted in two edges, one dropped catch, two runs and a dismissal.”
- SupportedMcDonald said he had seen no signs that 37-year-old Smith was ready to walk away.The Age - Latest News: “Smith had the toughest tour of his career in South Africa, failing to reach 30 in any innings, but McDonald said he had seen no signs of the 37-year-old being ready to walk away.”