Green set for Aussie Test recall, surprise backup as likely Warner replacement for WI series revealed

Australia is reportedly closing in on a decision on the replacement at the top of the batting order for David Warner.

The race for the final spot was down to two, according to a report fromThe Sydney Morning Herald, which claimed that Cameron Green and Steve Smith emerged as frontrunners to partner Usman Khawaja.

But The Herald Sun now reports that Smith is poised to win the race, while Green will regain his preferred place at fourth in the order against the West Indies in Adelaide next week.

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The report claims that when the team is announced on Wednesday at 11am AEDT, selectors may not name an order – but that Smith is favourite to open.

The move allows selectors to get 24-year-old Green back into the team after Mitch Marsh’s resurgence pushed the youngster out of the primary all-rounder spot, adding further strength to an already dominant bowling line-up.

They will be joined in the West Indies series squad by Matt Renshaw, with multiple outlets including Code Sports reporting the Queenslander will be included as a reserve batter.

His versatility was credited as the reason for his selection.

The looming decision means – unless Smith fails in the coming matches – Cameron Bancroft’s chances of a Test recall have been dashed while the same goes for Marcus Harris, who Warner said recently at the Boxing Day Test would “fit well” at the top of the starting XI.

“I think Harry has been that person who is going to have that chance … he’s always been that person who was next in line,” Warner told reporters at the time.

“If the selectors show their faith in him, then I’m sure he’ll come out and play the way he does. He’s not too dissimilar to me. If he sees it in his areas, he goes for it and plays his shots.

“I think he would fit well.”

Harris has not played Test cricket for Australia since early 2022 while Bancroft, who has been the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield over the last two seasons, has endured a longer wait.

He has not represented Australia in the Test Arena since an Ashes series against England at Lord’s in 2019.

As for Smith and Green, the former would certainly be the more contentious pick given the debate in the cricket world this week as to whether it would be worth moving him from the No.4 spot.

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Kerry O’Keeffe, for example, said he does not see Smith as “legitimately being a factor” in the battle to replace Warner.

It came after Shane Watson pushed for the move at a cricket event on the eve of the SCG Test, pointing towards it being the challenge that Smith “needs” at this point of his career.

As for Green, he has never opened at first-class level but recalling the 24-year-old as an opener for the series against West Indies could be the perfect opportunity to see how he fares in the new role.

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That goes for anyone though, with former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith also making that argument in support of potentially seeing how Smith goes moving up in the order.

“To be perfectly honest, playing against the West Indies, it is not a bad time to bring someone new in,” he said last week.

“We are not talking about the fiercest bowling attack in the world to get started on.”

Former Australia Test opener Matthew Hayden told The Herald that he believes Matt Renshaw should get the nod as Warner’s replacement and while that appears unlikely at this point, it seems like the Queenslander may be destined for a prominent role in the Test team regardless.

The report also claimed that sources close to the team believe Renshaw is “being primed” to become Usman Khawaja’s permanent replacement when he retires from the Test arena.