Cameron Green: The New Promise of Australian Cricket Debuts in Adelaide
Cameron Green, the 21-year-old all-rounder from Western Australia, is ready to make his debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His arrival generates great expectation, being one of the most anticipated in recent times. Here we tell you more about him.
Outstanding Cricket Career
In first-class cricket, Green has shown exceptional performance. He has five centuries in 21 matches, including a top score of 197 runs earlier this season against New South Wales. His batting average is 55.04. A key encounter was against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, where he proved his worth with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 runs, batting in positions 8 and 9. That was also the last match in which he bowled for a year. With the ball, he averages 21.72 runs for his 33 wickets, including 5 for 24 in his first-class debut against Tasmania, against whom he also achieved his best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018. Although his career in the white-ball format does not stand out as much, he debuted in ODIs a couple of weeks ago, but has only played a few matches: nine in List A and T20. It is with the red (and pink) ball where he is generating great enthusiasm.
Great Expectations
You could say so. Greg Chappell has called him the “best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews. In June, Chappell selected him in the number 6 position in the test team.
“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” Chappell said. “He’s a genuine prospect with the bat and ball, but I think his future is as a batsman who can offer good overs. Cameron is a batsman with exceptional talent. At 6 feet 7 inches, he could become something very special. I would bat 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.”
Greg Chappell
Concern about the Recent Injury
A worrying moment was when he was hit on the head by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery at the SCG. He had to leave the field and was substituted due to concussion, but scans ruled out any fractures. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage and it seems he will be able to comply with the protocols for his debut.
The All-Terrain Vehicle That Australia Has Dreamed Of?
Possibly, but with caution. This has nothing to do with his talent, but with the restrictions on his deliveries due to a stress fracture in his back that he suffered last year. He has worked on his action with WA bowling coach Matt Mason, and so far has been limited to four-over spells. This season he has not 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 brilliant play to dismiss Shubman Gill before his injury at the SCG.
Tim Paine also suggested that the bowling restrictions will be relaxed. “I think he’ll bowl a little bit more, once you’re selected in a Test match, you’re ready to play. That being 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. 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 route was for Australia to maintain its traditional balance of six batsmen, a wicketkeeper and four bowlers. However, recently, plans were altered by the injuries of Warner and Pucovksi, which led Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one test) and that has created a vacancy in the number 6 position. This does not mean that Green does not deserve it. Given his current form, it could easily be said that he is among Australia’s top six batsmen, and both Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns have said that he is worthy of selection just for his batting.
