Andrew McDonald backs Cameron Green for ODI finisher role

Published - 26 May 2026, 14:02 IST | Updated - 26 May 2026, 14:02 IST

Australia Men’s Head Coach Andrew McDonald has indicated that the team could be looking towards Cameron Green to fill in the role of the finisher as the World Champions build towards defending their title in the Cricket World Cup in late 2027.

McDonald opined that the all-rounder can fill in for Glenn Maxwell, who retired from ODIs in 2025, leaving a significant gap for a finisher in the team. Green, who has filled in multiple roles in the format, scored a 47-ball century against South Africa in August last year. The coach highlighted the innings as an example of his power game.

"It's really where we position him and what role we want him to play, because I think he's got the ability to really play high up the order and low. He does have some power, we saw in that Top End series last year against South Africa, his ability to finish off that innings in the absence of Glenn Maxwell. So we had that conversation. We keep these things open - experiment is not the right word - but we'll look at different ways to play in the journey to the 2027 World Cup and where he fits exactly in that,” McDonald said, ahead of the squad’s departure to Pakistan, as reported by Cricbuzz.

The coach also stated that Green’s skills as an all-rounder could prove beneficial in his selection, due to the team’s reliance on the all-rounder to take up the bowling loads of the fifth bowler.

"We've got some options there because of his range of skills. Definitely the bowling is a big part of that. The fifth bowler. that can be an exposure point for any team. We've always gone with four frontline (bowlers) and then the allrounders pick that (fifth bowler's load) up. So I feel like he has a big part to play with the ball as well,” McDonald added.

Andrew McDonald backs pace trio to feature in 2027 ODI WC

McDonald also indicated that the team management is currently considering the return of Tim David to the ODI set-up. David has played four ODIs for Australia, all in 2023. He is a regular feature in the T20 side, but has opted out of playing ODIs due to franchise commitments.

"It is something we're looking at. Tim hasn't made himself available for ODI cricket as yet in amongst everything that he's doing. But open-minded that potentially that is a conversation down the track," McDonald said.

He further stated that the batter would have to signal his intention to feature in the side, only after which he could be considered for selection.

"That would be something that TD [David] would need to come to us and signal his intention to play one-day international cricket. We used him in the build (up) to the last World Cup. TD was someone that we felt could potentially play in that finishing number seven role. Will we be exposed there? Can Tim be a part of that conversation? Maybe, but ultimately at this stage he's not available for one-day international cricket,” he added.

Australia take on Pakistan in a three-match ODI series set to commence on May 30 in Rawalpindi.