Allrounder's return to be Green light for Marnus Labuschagne
Allrounder Green is likely to drop back down the order for Australia when he returns to bowling, opening up dual avenues for the likes of Labuschagne and also Sam Konstas to earn batting spots against England.
While Green excelled in the top three on difficult pitches during the West Indies tour, selection chair George Bailey has conceded that it would be difficult to ask Green to stay in that role once he starts bowling following back surgery last year. Green was often seen bowling at training in the Caribbean.
As such, a spot further down the order, possibly tipping out Beau Webster at number six, will open opportunities for Labuschagne to return following his time out of the side.
'I think he can bat anywhere from three to six,' Bailey said of Green. 'There will be an added layer of complexity on that when he returns to the bowling crease as well, we're just working out where best suits around that.
'But the growth there, and even his play in the T20 series, you see a really structured and technically focused guy in Test cricket but also an immense array of power and freedom within that player as well.
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'It's always hard when you've had a long period out of the game, I think there was a little bit of that too, the nerves are there, am I still good enough and how do I play. So I thought he navigated that really well.'
Adam Gilchrist is one respected figure who had questioned the long-term wisdom of keeping Green at three.
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