Cameron Green: The Australian Promise Debuts in Test Cricket

Cameron Green: The New Australian Cricket Promise Ready to Debut

Western Australia’s young all-rounder, 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 in recent times.

Outstanding Cricket Career

In first-class cricket, Green has shown exceptional performance. He has accumulated five centuries in 21 matches, including a career-high of 197 runs earlier this season against New South Wales. His batting average is 55.04. In November 2019, in a match against Queensland at the Gabba, Green demonstrated his potential with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 runs, batting at numbers 8 and 9. This 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, where he also achieved his best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018. Although his career in white-ball cricket does not stand out as much, he already made his ODI debut 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 that he is generating excitement.

High Expectations Around Green

Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews. Chappell included him at number 6 in the test team.

“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” he said. “He’s a genuine 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 uncommon talent. At 6 feet 7 inches, he could become something very special. I would put him to bat 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

Overcoming Injury Concern

A worrying moment was when Green received a blow to the head from a Jasprit Bumrah delivery at the SCG. He was taken off the field and replaced due to a concussion, but tests ruled out any fractures. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage, and it seems he will comply with the protocols to be able to debut.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Dreamed of by Australia?

Green has restrictions on his 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 produced a beauty to dismiss Shubman Gill before his injury at the SCG. Tim Paine 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 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 enter the XI at the start of the series despite having been named in the expanded squad. 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 is not deserving. By 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 being selected just for his batting.