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Kolkata, April 5: Kolkata Knight Riders’ high-profile acquisition Cameron Green has resumed bowling in the nets and is “not far away” from doing so in an IPL match, bowling coach Tim Southee said on Sunday.
The Australian all-format all-rounder, IPL’s costliest overseas buy at Rs 25.20-crore, has not bowled so far in the season as Cricket Australia monitors his workload post his back surgery.“Yeah, Green’s been bowling well, tracking his rehab and getting himself back to being able to bowl in games. He’ll continue to do that,” Southee said ahead of KKR’s clash against Punjab Kings.However, it is unlikely that Green will bowl against PBKS on Monday, even though he was seen going full throttle at a practice session on Saturday.
Sunday’s match-day minus one training was washed out at Eden Gardens, with most regulars staying away, while a few domestic recruits, including Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rahul Tripathi, trained indoors.KKR’s inexperienced pace attack — in the absence of Mustafizur Rahman, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep and Matheesha Pathirana for various reasons — has been a major talking point early in the season.The issue has been compounded by Green’s inability to bowl, which became a talking point after KKR failed to defend 220 in their opening match loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede.Responding to a broadcaster’s query on Green not bowling, skipper Ajinkya Rahane had quipped, “Ask Cricket Australia,” prompting their board to clarify that KKR were “fully aware” of his recovery timeline and workload management plan.
Southee said the franchise remains in constant touch with the Australian board. (PTI)
