With Australia set to test all-rounder Cameron Green in various ODI roles as they begin preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Pakistan, the selectors are keen to find a long-term replacement for retired star Glenn Maxwell.
Meanwhile, Australia are still hopeful that power-hitter Tim Davids can eventually break into their ODI plans, although the hard-hitting batsman has not made himself available for one-day cricket in the short term due to his growing franchise.
Green’s role will come under close scrutiny in Australia’s white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh starting on May 30. The visitors are scheduled to play three ODIs in Pakistan followed by another three matches in Bangladesh before wrapping up the tour with three T20Is.
The 26-year-old has been a key figure in Australia’s form despite debate surrounding his best ODI form.
Green scored a remarkable 47-ball century against South Africa in Australia’s last ODI in August 2025, but an inconsistent Ashes campaign and a quiet T20 World Cup have put him under renewed pressure ahead of a packed international calendar.
Australian head coach Andrew MacDonald said the selectors are keen to assess Green in a finals role, especially following Maxwell’s retirement from ODI cricket.
“I think he’s got the ability to play up and down the order,” McDonald told reporters shortly before the team left for Pakistan.
“He’s got some power and we saw his ability to finish that innings in that top-end series against South Africa last year and we had that conversation with Glenn Maxwell’s absence.
Macdonald insisted Australia are not “experimenting” but are instead exploring different combinations as part of their long-term World Cup planning.
“The team we are, we’re keeping these things open. Experimentation is not the right word, but we will look at different ways of playing in the journey to the 2027 World Cup and he fits right in. We’ve got a few options in his skill range, but of course bowling is a big part of it,” he said.
Green, who was part of Australia’s 2023 World Cup-winning squad, featured in just three matches during the tournament as the team opted for an extra special batsman in the knockout stages. He later missed the 2025 Champions Trophy due to a back injury.
The all-rounder recently endured a mixed IPL campaign with Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 322 runs at an average of 32.20 in 14 matches, while picking up seven wickets.
Despite criticism early in the tournament, Green was instrumental in KKR’s late resurgence, though the team missed out on the playoffs.
Macdonald admitted that Green is yet to reach the level expected but backed the talented all-rounder to succeed in all formats.
“He had a challenging summer,” McDonald said. “He didn’t perform as well as he wanted to. I think people don’t appreciate the sum of all the parts he brings.”
“We want him to average more with the bat. He wants to average more with the bat. But his fielding, his bowling, the package he is in, we feel he will be good. Well, it’s a matter of how we balance all three formats,” he added.
“I think batting is very complicated and difficult at the moment, and I ask the question how many people have done well in all three formats. At the moment, it’s incredibly difficult. So, are we asking too much of some players?”
Australia’s ODI batting line-up remains unsettled 18 months before the World Cup, especially after the retirements of Maxwell and Steve Smith. While openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head are firmly in place, the middle-order combinations are still evolving.
Along with Green, the selectors are considering a number of options including Josh Inglis, Marnes Labuschagne, Alex Carey and Matt Renshaw.
Macdonald also confirmed that the selectors are interested in David’s finishing ability, although the batsman is yet to play ODI cricket.
“It’s something we’re looking at,” McDonald said. “Tim hasn’t made himself available for ODI cricket with everything he’s been doing, but with an open mind, it could be a conversation down the road.
“DD should come to us openly and express his desire to play international cricket one day. We used him till the last World Cup.
“DD is someone we felt could fill that finishing No. 7 role. Will we be exposed there? Can Tim be part of that conversation? Maybe. But ultimately he didn’t get the position.”