Cameron Green: The Australian star debuts in international cricket

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

Cameron Green, the 21-year-old all-rounder from Western Australia, is set to make his debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. This is one of the most anticipated first appearances in recent times. Here’s a little about him.

Career So Far

In first-class cricket, Green has stood out notably. He has accumulated five centuries in 21 matches, including a career-high of 197 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 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 with 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 white-ball matches is not as prominent, although he debuted in ODIs a couple of weeks ago, with only a handful of matches: nine in List A and T20. It is with the red (and pink) ball that Green is generating great expectation.

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 genuine prospect with 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 have him bat 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 Scare Due to Injury

A worrying moment was when he received a blow to the head from a Jasprit Bumrah delivery at the SCG. He was taken off the field with a concussion, but tests 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?

Perhaps, but with caution. This has nothing to do with talent, but with the restrictions on his bowling 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 a day in match conditions. However, he has shown his ability to take wickets. Tim Paine suggested that the bowling restrictions will be eased. “I think he’ll bowl a few 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.”

Early Debut?

In a way, yes. In fact, 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 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 altered by the injuries of Warner and Pucovksi, which has led Australia to reorganize the batting order and create an opportunity in the number 6 position. This does not mean that Green is not deserving. By his current form, it could easily be said that he is among Australia’s top six batsmen, with Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns stating that he is worthy of selection based on his batting alone.