Cameron Green: The Australian Promise Debuts in Test Cricket

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

The 21-year-old all-rounder, Cameron Green, originally from Western Australia, is ready to make his debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His first appearance is one of the most anticipated in recent times, and here we tell you a little about him.

Outstanding Cricket Career

In first-class cricket, Green has demonstrated outstanding performance. He has accumulated five centuries in 21 matches, including a career-high of 197 runs earlier 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 ability 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 took his best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018. His career in the white-ball format does not stand out as much, although he debuted in ODIs a couple of weeks ago, but he has only played a few matches, nine in both List A and T20. It is with the red (and pink) ball that he is generating great enthusiasm.

High Expectations Around Green

Greg Chappell has called him the “best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews, and in June, speculation arose about a scenario in which Australia would play both Test and T20I matches on the same day. Chappell selected him directly at number 6 in the Test team.

“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” Chappell stated. “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 should be.”

Greg Chappell

Overcoming Injury Concern

A worrying moment was when Green was hit on the head by a bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah at the SCG. He immediately left the field and was substituted due to concussion, in addition to undergoing scans that ruled out any fracture. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage, and it seems that he will comply with all protocols to be able to debut.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Dreamed of by Australia?

Perhaps, but with caution. This has nothing to do with talent, but he has had 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 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 the ability to take wickets: he claimed two in the second innings against the Indians at Drummoyne Oval and produced a great play to dismiss Shubman Gill before his injury at the SCG. Tim Paine also suggested that the bowling restrictions would be relaxed. “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 Anticipated Debut

In a way, yes. In fact, 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 named in the expanded squad. The preferred route was for Australia to maintain its traditional balance of six batsmen, a wicketkeeper and four bowlers. However, plans have been recently altered due to the injuries of Warner and Pucovksi, which has led Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one Test) and that has created the opportunity at number 6. 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 Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns have said that he is worthy of being selected just for his batting.