Cameron Green: The Australian Promise Debuts in Test Cricket

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

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.

A Promising Career

Green’s first-class cricket career is notable. He has scored five centuries in 21 matches, including a career-best of 197 runs earlier this season against New South Wales. His batting average is 55.04. A match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019 demonstrated his potential with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 runs not out, batting at numbers 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 on 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, having debuted in ODIs a couple of weeks ago, this is only from a handful of matches: nine in List A and T20. It’s with the red (and pink) ball that he’s generating excitement.

Great Expectations

Greg Chappell has called him the “best since Ricky Ponting.” In June, Chappell selected him at number 6 in the test team, in a hypothetical scenario of Australia playing 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 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

The Concern About the Injury

There was a concerning moment when Green was hit on the head by a bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah at the SCG. He had to leave the field and was substituted, in addition to undergoing scans that ruled out any fractures. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage, and it seems he will be able to debut according to Cricket Australia protocols.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Dreamed of by Australia?

Perhaps, but with caution. Green has had restrictions on his bowling spells 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, including two in the second innings against the Indians at Drummoyne Oval. Tim Paine suggested that the bowling restrictions will be eased. “I think he’ll bowl some more than that, once you’re selected in a Test match, you’re ready to play. Having said that, we don’t expect him to bowl a huge amount of overs with the attack we have.”

An Anticipated Debut

Somehow, yes. A few weeks ago, it seemed unlikely that he would be part of the XI at the start of the series, despite having been named in the extended squad. However, injuries to Warner and Pucovksi have led to changes in the batting order, creating the opportunity at number 6. This doesn’t mean Green doesn’t deserve it. In his current form, he is considered one of Australia’s top six batsmen.