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 about to make his debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His arrival generates great expectation, being one of the most anticipated debuts of recent times. Here we tell you more about him.

Professional Career

In first-class cricket, Green has demonstrated outstanding performance. He has five centuries in 21 matches, including a career-high of 197 runs earlier this season against New South Wales, and a batting average of 55.04. In a match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, he demonstrated his ability 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 career-best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018. Although his white-ball career is not as prominent, he debuted in ODIs 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.

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, predicting a great future for the young player.

“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” said Chappell. “He is a real promise 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 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

Recent Injury Concern

There was a worrying moment when Green was hit on the head by a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah at the SCG. He had to leave the field and was substituted due to 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 Dream Off-Roader for Australia?

Green has been limited in 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 also suggested that the bowling restrictions will be eased. “I think he’ll bowl a little bit 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 extended squad. However, plans have been recently altered due to injuries to Warner and Pucovksi, which has led Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one test) and has created the opportunity in the number 6 position. This does not mean that Green is not deserving. Based on 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.