Cameron Green has revealed the horrific extent of the horrific broken finger from the 144kmh ball that drew blood – and how he continued to bat for another 40 overs
Cameron Green has revealed the horrific extent of the finger injury he suffered in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.
The star all-rounder retired hurt on nine late on the second day after being hit in the glove by a 144kph delivery from South African quick Anrich Nortje.
Green, who became the most expensive Australian in IPL history after being snapped up by Mumbai Indians for $3.15million last week, was forced off the field with blood pouring from his finger.
Cameron Green retired hurt from the Boxing Day Test after breaking his right index finger
Cricket Australia subsequently announced he had broken a finger and the 23-year-old has now lifted the lid on the full extent of the injury. Green shared a photo of the scan on Instagram, showing an obvious fracture on his right index finger.
Despite looking immediately in discomfort after being hit by Nortje, Green looked to hide the pain as best he could.
‘You try not to show the pain right away,’ he told cricket.com.au.
‘I marked my guard again and walked a few steps, and I was like: “I think my finger is out of place here”.
Green shared a photo of his scan on Instagram to show the extent of the damage
‘I checked it out – it looks a bit backwards is the only way I can explain it. It already had a big cut, then I got the bad news after the scan.’
Having retired injured at the end of the second day, Green rejoined the action on the third day after the dismissal of Nathan Lyon. Despite his broken finger, he faced 157 more balls in 40 overs and finished with 51 not out as Australia were declared 8-575 at the MCG.
However, Green said he had to change his approach after rejoining the action.
‘I think that’s what happens when you’re injured – your game simplifies in a way,’ he explained.
After retiring hurt on the second day, Green bowled 40 overs on the third day and made 51 not out.
Green and Mitchell Starc (right) were unbeaten on 51 and 10 as Australia declared at 8-575
‘There are only a few shots you can play and everything else you have to defend.
‘It’s a funny thing when you’re in that mindset, you’re really, really clear on what you need to do.’
The all-rounder will skip the rest of the Big Bash League and the third Test against South Africa, which starts on January 3 in Sydney.
Starc also suffered a nasty finger injury in the Boxing Day Test and faces a race against time to be fit for the Test series in India in February
Green will be joined on the sidelines by Mitchell Starc, who suffered tendon damage after dislocating the tip of his middle finger on his left hand – his bowling hand – while trying to catch a long-on in the second session on day one of Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Ashton Agar and Matt Renshaw have been called up as replacements for New Year’s Day at the SCG, ending their five-year and four-year bans from Test cricket respectively.
Green and Starc, meanwhile, face a race against the clock to be fit in time for Australia’s four-Test series in India, which begins in Nagpur on February 9.
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