Cameron Green says Australia still has “a lot to play for” in the remaining two Tests against India, while declaring himself fit to play his first match of the series.
Key points:
- Australia is yet to book its spot in the ICC World Test Championship final
- The tourists trail India 2-0 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series
- Green says he is available to play in the third Test
Green was sidelined from the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India as he continued his recovery from a broken finger sustained during Australia’s recent series against South Africa at home.
The all-rounder was sorely missed, with Australia recording two convincing defeats to India, who has already retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia will have to play the third Test of the series — beginning in Indore next Wednesday — without captain Pat Cummins, who is remaining in Sydney to be with his seriously ill mother.
Green said Australia did not lack motivation heading into the Indore match as it is yet to book its place in the ICC World Test Championship final.
Australia sits on top of the standings, but India and Sri Lanka – in second and third place respectively – are still in contention to reach the decider.
Green also said the tourists were determined to get at least one Test victory on Indian soil.
“We still haven’t completely locked in that World Test Championship final, so there is still a lot to play for,” he told ABC Sport.
“They’re [Australia] getting a lot of energy out of the possibility of just locking that in.
“Winning a game in India is obviously so special, so there is a lot of positive energy that is going towards that.”
Green – who declared he was “100 per cent ready” for the third Test – said there was not too much Australia needed to change if it was to beat India.
He highlighted there were moments in the second Test in Delhi – which India won by six wickets – where Australia had the upper hand.
“I thought we played beautifully last game,” Green said.
“We got ourselves into position to kind of win the game and we had a really tough session there at one point, but I think what we were doing is really good.”
Green has not played for Australia since injuring his finger in the Boxing Day Test against the Proteas at the MCG, which the hosts won by an innings and 182 runs.
The fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be played in Ahmedabad from March 9.