Cameron Green: The Australian Promise Debuts in Test Cricket

Cameron Green: The New Promise of Australian Cricket Debuts at the Adelaide Oval

The 21-year-old all-rounder from Western Australia, Cameron Green, is ready to make his debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His arrival generates great expectation.

A Distinguished Career

In first-class cricket, Green has demonstrated 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 a match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, Green showed his potential with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 runs not out, batting at positions 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, against whom he also took his best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018.

Although his career in limited-format matches doesn’t stand out as much, he debuted in ODIs a few weeks ago, but this is in a handful of matches: nine in both List A and T20. It’s with the red (and pink) ball that he’s generating great enthusiasm.

Great Expectations

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.

“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 Over the Recent Injury

The blow to the head from a Jasprit Bumrah delivery at the SCG was a worrying moment. Green was ruled out of the match with concussion, but scans ruled out any fractures. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage, and it seems he will comply with Cricket Australia’s protocols to be able to debut.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Dreamed of by Australia?

Possibly, although cautiously. Green has had restrictions on his releases due to a stress fracture in his back 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 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 an excellent play 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 be part of the initial team despite being named in the extended squad. Plans have been altered by the injuries of Warner and Pucovksi, which has led Australia to reorganize the batting order and has created an opportunity in the number 6 position. This does not mean that Green is not deserving. Based on his current form, it could be argued that he is among Australia’s top six batsmen, and Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns have said that he deserves selection based on his batting alone.