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    Aussies open to ‘creative’ tactics for star’s bowling return

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    By Tyler Lewis

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    Aussies open to ‘creative’ tactics for star’s bowling return

    Green is certain to have the ball in hand against England this summer and will skip the New Zealand white-ball tour to prepare for a greater volume of overs.

    The position Green takes in the batting order remains uncertain however, as Australia jostles between his strong West Indies tour at No.3 and the fear of overusing the talented West Australian.

    But Australian coach Andrew McDonald says the Aussies are open to creatively front ending his overs or deploying a timeline restraint to get the best out of Green.

    “Using Shane Watson as an example, when he went from six to three and then he went to bowl the amount of balls did drop off,” he said on Wednesday.

    “You’ve got to take that into account but there’s nothing wrong with front ending your overs in an innings as an all-rounder.

    “If (Green) was to bat higher than potentially from 50 overs onwards or depending on where your opponent is at you might drop off the load there so he’s fresher to bat.

    “You can still do a bit of in game management and be creative around that – we’re not fixed on (his batting position) but definitely a conversation.”

    McDonald only fears for Green – or any of his players’ bodies – late in the Ashes as there are solid rests between Tests one, two and three.

    Green’s return to bowling has placed doubt over incumbent all-rounder Beau Webster despite performing strongly at No.6.

    The pair’s compatibility in the Australian XI may also be under threat as McDonald’s preference is to keep Steven Smith at No.4 and Travis Head at No.5.

    “I think that’s worked and sometimes you don’t want to get caught out in trying to cover something else and remove a strength,” McDonald told SEN.

    “I like the four and five have been really two key pillars for us since Steve Smith has gone back to four.

    “We had the debate around (Smith) opening and where he should sit and then Travis, I have been really clear on in other conditions overseas we can debate where he bats.

    “In Australia I like (Head) at five, I like the ability to turn a game there; depending on other moving parts though we may be forced into situation where we’re flexible with that.

    “But if you asked me what my preferred would be, (Smith and Head) are four and five.”

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