Mystery has surrounded Cameron Green's absence from the Prime Minister XI's bowling lineup after day one of the first class match with Pakistan.
Green failed to bowl a delivery throughout the whole day as the tourists amassed a score of 6-324 in the opening day of the match, much to the surprise of experts.
Former NSW all-rounder Brad McNamara expressed his surprise at the decision which appeared to be an attempt to manage Green's workload.
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"Maybe he is playing this game as a batter but if something were to happen to Mitch Marsh between now and this next Test, he's playing," he said on Fox Cricket's coverage.
"Surely you'd want a few overs under your belt."
McNamara went on to say there should be a need to have Green "battle hardened" for longer spells.
"I always thought you're at more risk of injury the less you bowl," he added.
Former Australian cricket Brendon Julian agreed.
"I think you're spot on, I'm not saying he needs to bowl a lot of overs but if he comes out and bowls two short spells, take two or three wickets, he looks impressive, then selectors will look at that," he said.
"He would've done a lot of bowling in the nets probably, over there at the World Cup, but basically hasn't played too much.
"I'd love to have him and Mitch Marsh in the same side, and I know that's a tricky one to balance the batting lineup … I think moving forward having both of them in the side makes the team better."
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When the debate continued after Green failed to bowl in both opening sessions, Julian doubled down on his belief both Marsh and Green could play together, suggesting one could take David Warner's spot at the top of the order.
"It's not the wildest thought to have two all-rounders in the side, just because Mitch Marsh is in the side doesn't mean he can't break into it and Marsh stay there as well, moving forward," he said.
"I think Cam Green is looking at himself, he's got to get in the side as a batting all-rounder, a bit like Mitch Marsh. If you're batting six for Australia and you're an all-rounder, you've got to score runs.
"I think those two guys in the Test side, that'd be a great team.
"I know that we've always traditionally gone you have to have an opener as an opener, and I get it. But I don't think it's totally out of the question."
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