Cameron Green: The New Star of Australian Cricket Debuts

Cameron Green: The New Promise of Australian Cricket

The 21-year-old all-rounder, Cameron Green, originally from Western Australia, is set to make his debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His presentation is one of the most anticipated in recent times.

Highlighted Career

In first-class cricket, Green has demonstrated outstanding performance. He has five centuries in 21 matches, including an impressive 197, his best score, achieved at the beginning of the season against New South Wales. Recently, he played against the Indians last week, maintaining a batting average of 55.04. In a match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, he demonstrated his potential with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 not out, batting in positions 8 and 9. That was the last match in which he bowled for a year. With the ball, he averages 21.72 with 33 wickets, including 5 for 24 in his first-class debut against Tasmania, a team against which he also achieved his best mark of 6 for 30 in 2018. Although his career in the white ball format does not stand out as much, he made his ODI debut a couple of weeks ago, although he has only played a few matches, nine in both List A and T20. It is with the red (and pink) ball where he is really generating excitement.

Great Expectations

Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews. In June, there was speculation that Australia would play Test and T20I matches on the same day, a scenario in which Chappell placed him at number 6 in the Test team immediately.

“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar. He’s a real prospect with the bat and ball, but I think his future lies as a batsman who can offer some quality overs. Cameron is a batsman with exceptional talent. At 6 feet 7 inches, he could become something very special. I would put him at number 6 to start, but I think number 4 is his long-term position. The sooner he plays at this level, the sooner he will become the player he should be,” Chappell said.

Greg Chappell

The Concern About the Injury

The moment he was hit on the head by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery at the SCG was concerning. He was retired from the field with concussion and underwent scans that ruled out fractures. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage and it seems he will be able to comply with all Cricket Australia protocols for his debut.

The Dream Off-Roader?

Perhaps, but with caution. This has nothing to do with his talent, but rather with the restrictions on his deliveries due to a stress fracture in his back that he suffered last year. He has been working on his action with WA’s bowling coach, Matt Mason, and has so far been limited to four-over spells. This season, he hasn’t bowled more than eight overs in a day in match conditions. However, he has shown his ability to take wickets: he claimed two in the second innings against the Indians at Drummoyne Oval and produced a beauty to dismiss Shubman Gill before his injury at the SCG. Tim Paine also suggested that the bowling restrictions will be eased. “I think he’ll bowl a few more, once you’re selected in a Test match you’re ready to play. That said, we don’t expect him to bowl a huge amount of overs with the attack we have.”

An Early Debut?

In a way, yes. Just a few weeks ago, it seemed unlikely that he would be part of the starting eleven at the beginning of the series, despite having been included in the extended squad. The preferred strategy was for Australia to maintain its traditional balance of six batsmen, a wicket-keeper and four bowlers. However, plans were altered by the injuries of Warner and Pucovksi, which led Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one Test) and created the opportunity in the number 6 position. This does not mean that Green does not deserve it. Based on his current form, it could easily be said that he is among Australia’s top six batsmen, and Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns have stated that he is worthy of being selected just for his batting.