Australian pacer Mitchell Starc recently shared his thoughts on the absence of all-rounder Cameron Green from the national squad, following Green’s season-ending back surgery. Green’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in Australia’s lineup, particularly in the pace attack, as his all-round capabilities provided crucial balance to the team.

With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 on the horizon, Australia’s bowlers face an increased workload in his absence. Mithcell Starc emphasized the challenge of replacing a genuine all-rounder like Green, comparing his impact to that of England’s Ben Stokes.

Mitchell Starc highlighted how Green’s contributions with both bat and ball had become a vital part of Australia’s recent team dynamics. “It always changes the dynamic when you lose a player like Cameron Green. It’s like taking Ben Stokes out of England’s side. Having that extra bowling option allows us to maintain balance, and we’ve relied on that,” Starc told ESPNcricinfo.

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With Cameron Green unavailable, Starc admitted that the team’s strategy and selection process would need adjustment, especially with Mitch Marsh potentially stepping in as both an opener and a bowler.

However, Starc remained optimistic, recalling past series where the team operated without a designated all-rounder. He mentioned that Australia’s core bowling unit—himself, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon—had successfully handled the workload before and would be expected to do so again.

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The BGT 2024–25 series, starting on November 22 in Perth, will be pivotal for both Australia and India as they vie for a spot in the World Test Championship final in 2025. Starc’s experience, coupled with the enduring strength of Australia’s veteran bowlers, will be crucial as they navigate Green’s absence and aim for victory in one of cricket’s most fiercely contested series.