Cameron Green to be tested in new roles in lead up to World Cup 2027: Andrew McDonald

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has backed all-rounder Cameron Green to take up new roles in the ODI setup in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Australia are set to build up to the mega event starting the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan beginning on May 30.

With Glenn Maxwell retired from ODIs, they’re in search of adding firepower in the lower order, which could prove to be crucial on the bouncy surfaces in South Africa, where the new ball will pose a genuine threat.

Ahead of the upcoming series against Pakistan, followed by Bangladesh, McDonald highlighted how the management is looking to utilise Green’s firepower to fill the role left behind by Maxwell.

"I think he's got the ability to play high up the order and low. He does have some power, and we saw that in that top-end series last year against South Africa, his ability to finish off that innings, and with the absence of Glenn Maxwell we had that conversation,” McDonald said on ESPNCricinfo.

The Australia head coach also mentioned that they’re also planning to utilise Green’s bowling prowess to the fullest.

"The team that we are, 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. We've got some options there because of his range of skills, but definitely the bowling is a big part of that. I feel like he has a big part to play with the ball as well. I think he's capable,” he added.

Green recently had a mixed season in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), scoring 322 runs from 14 innings at an average of 32.20 and a strike rate of 145.70 with two half-centuries. He also contributed with seven wickets from ten innings, following his belated stint with the ball due to workload management by Cricket Australia (CA).

Australia planning to bring Tim David back into ODIs

Meanwhile, the Australian selectors are also planning to bring Tim David into the ODI setup, who’s only played four matches in the 50-over format back in 2023. The Australian batting lineup is in transition following the retirements of Maxwell and Steve Smith. While there are plenty competing for the roles in the middle order, the finishing spots are yet to be filled.

In order to fill that gap, Andrew McDonald has revealed that the selectors are planning to have discussions with David to bring him into ODIs. However, he hasn’t made himself available to play the 50-over format as of now.

"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. TD would need to obviously come to us around and signal his intention to play one-day international cricket. We used him in the build up to the last World Cup,” said McDonald.

"TD was someone that we felt could potentially play in that finishing No.7 role. Will we be exposed there? Can Tim be a part of that conversation? Maybe. But ultimately at this stage, he is not available,” he added.

Australia will take on Pakistan in the first ODI on Saturday, May 30 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. The two teams will next play the second match of the series on June 2, followed by the third and final ODI on June 4, with both games scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.