Cameron Green’s Debut: The Next Australian Cricket Star?

Cameron Green: The New Promise of Australian Cricket Debuts in Adelaide

The young all-rounder from Western Australia, 21-year-old Cameron Green, is set to make his debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His arrival has generated great anticipation, being one of the most anticipated debuts of recent times. Here are some details about him.

Outstanding Cricket Career

Green’s first-class cricket career is outstanding. He has achieved five centuries in 21 matches, including a top score of 197 runs this season against New South Wales. His batting average is 55.04. In a match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, he demonstrated his potential with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 runs not out, batting at 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 took his best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018. Although his career in the white-ball format doesn’t stand out as much, he already made his ODI debut a couple of weeks ago, but has only played in a handful of matches: nine in both List A and T20. It is with the red and pink ball that he is generating excitement at the moment.

Great Expectations

Expectations for Green are high. Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews. In June, Chappell selected him at number 6 in the test team, in a scenario where Australia played both tests and T20Is on the same day.

“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” Chappell said. “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 in the number 6 position 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 Regarding the Recent Injury

The most worrying moment was when Green received a blow to the head from a delivery by Jasprit Bumrah at the SCG. He had to leave the field and was substituted due to a concussion, in addition to undergoing scans that ruled out any fractures. 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 All-Terrain Vehicle Dreamed of by Australia?

Green has great potential, albeit with some caution. He has been subject to restrictions in release 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 has so far 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 delivered a spectacular delivery 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 than that, 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 starting team at the beginning of the series, despite having been included in the expanded squad. However, plans were altered by the injuries of Warner and Pucovksi, which led Australia to reorganize the batting order, creating an opportunity 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 the top six batsmen in Australia, and both Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns have stated that he deserves selection just for his batting.