Cameron Green: The New Australian Cricket Promise Ready to Debut
Western Australia’s young all-rounder, 21-year-old Cameron Green, is about to make his Australian cricket debut at the Adelaide Oval. His arrival is one of the most anticipated debuts in recent times.
A Promising Career
Green’s trajectory in first-class cricket has been outstanding. He has achieved five centuries in 21 matches, including a career-high of 197 runs at the beginning of this season against New South Wales, the most recent being against the Indians last week, with a batting average of 55.04. In November 2019, in a match against Queensland at the Gabba, he demonstrated his potential with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 runs not out, 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 obtained his best mark of 6 for 30 in 2018. Although he made his ODI debut a couple of weeks ago, his career in the white-ball format does not stand out as much, as he has only played nine matches in List A and T20. It is with the red (and pink) ball that he is generating great enthusiasm.
Great Expectations
Greg Chappell has called him the “best since Ricky Ponting”. In a simulation, Chappell selected him at number 6 in the Test team.
“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” said Chappell. “He’s a real prospect with the bat and ball, but I think his future is 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 needs to be.”
Greg Chappell
The Scare of the Injury
A worrying moment was when Green was hit on the head by a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah at the SCG. He had to leave the field and was substituted due to concussion, in addition to undergoing tests that ruled out any fracture. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage, and it seems that he will comply with all Cricket Australia protocols to be able to debut.
The Dream Off-Roader?
Possibly, although cautiously. This has nothing to do with his talent, but with the restrictions on his bowling 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 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. A few weeks ago, it seemed unlikely that he would be part of the initial team 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, recent setbacks due to injuries to Warner and Pucovksi have caused Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one Test) and that has created the opportunity in the number 6 position. This is not to say that Green doesn’t deserve it. Based on 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 stated that he is worthy of being selected just for his batting.
