Ternary + generics doesn't compile

Question

why doesn't the following compile?
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
public class Test
List<String> method()
return true ? getListA() : getListB(); // doesn't compile
static <T> List<T> getListA()
return new ArrayList<T>();
static <T> List<T> getListB()
return new ArrayList<T>();
If you expand the ternary opeartor into an if-then-else it works. Also if you cast the results of getListA() and getListB() it works. Seems counter intuitive.

Answer 1

Followup: I'm guessing the latter, because changing it to import java.util.*;
public class Test
    List<String> method()
        //return true ? getListA() : getListB(); // doesn't compile
        return ternary(true, getListA(), getListB());
    static <T> T ternary(boolean b, T left, T right)
        return b ? left : right;
    static <T> List<T> getListA()
        return new ArrayList<T>();
    static <T> List<T> getListB()
        return new ArrayList<T>();
} doesn't help.