Cameron Green: The New Promise of Australian Cricket Debuts in Adelaide
The 21-year-old all-rounder, Cameron Green, 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. Here we tell you more about him.
How has your career been so far?
In first-class cricket, his performance has been outstanding. He has scored five centuries in 21 matches, including an impressive 197, his best score, earlier this season against New South Wales. Recently, he played against India last week, showing a batting average of 55.04. In November 2019, in a match against Queensland at the Gabba, he demonstrated his potential with the bat, scoring 87 and 121 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 with 33 wickets, including 5 for 24 in his first-class debut against Tasmania, against whom he also achieved his best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018. As for his career in white-ball matches, although he debuted in ODIs a couple of weeks ago, he has only played a few matches, nine in List A and T20. It is with the red and pink ball where he is generating great expectation.
Big Expectations?
You could say so. Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews. In June, Chappell included him in the number 6 position in the Test team.
For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar. 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
What about the recent injury?
It was a worrying moment when he was hit on the head by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery at the SCG. He had to leave the field and was substituted due to a 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 Cricket Australia’s protocols to be able to debut.
Is it the all-terrain vehicle that Australia has dreamed of?
Maybe, but with caution. This has nothing to do with his talent, but with the restrictions on his deliveries 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 he has 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 India 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 relaxed. “I think he’ll bowl a 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.”
Did your debut come sooner than expected?
In a way, yes. Just a few weeks ago, it seemed unlikely that he would be part of the XI at the start of the series, despite having been included in the extended squad. The favored strategy was for Australia to maintain its traditional balance of six batsmen, a wicketkeeper, and four bowlers. However, plans were recently altered due to injuries to Warner and Pucovksi, leading Australia to reorganize the batting order and create an opening at number 6. This doesn’t mean Green doesn’t deserve it. Based on his current form, he could be said to be among Australia’s top six batsmen, and both Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns have said he deserves selection based on his batting alone.
