Cameron Green, the 21-year-old all-rounder from Western Australia, is set to debut for Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His first appearance is one of the most anticipated in recent times. Here are some details about him.
Highlighted Career
In first-class cricket, Green has demonstrated outstanding performance. He has accumulated five centuries in 21 matches, including a maximum of 197 runs earlier this season against New South Wales. His batting average is 55.04. A key match was against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, where he demonstrated his potential 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 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. Although his career in the white-ball format does not stand out as much, with only nine matches in List A and T20, it is with the red (and pink) ball where he is generating great expectation.Great Expectations
Expectations are high. Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews. In June, there was speculation about the possibility of Australia playing Test and T20I matches on the same day, and Chappell selected him at number 6 in the Test team immediately. “For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” Chappell said. “He is a genuine prospect with both bat and ball, but I think his future is as a batter who can offer some quality overs. Cameron is a batter of exceptional talent. At 6ft 7in, he could become something very special. I would put him in 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.”Recent Injury Concern
There was a worrying moment when he was hit on the head by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery. Green had to leave the field and was substituted for concussion, but tests revealed no fractures. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage and it seems he will be able to comply with the protocols for his debut.The Dream SUV?
Perhaps, 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 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 an excellent delivery to dismiss Shubman Gill before his injury at the SCG. Tim Paine suggested that the bowling restrictions will be relaxed. “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 being said, we don’t expect him to bowl a huge amount of overs with the attack we have.”Early Debut?
In a way, yes. A few weeks ago it seemed unlikely that he would be in the starting XI at the beginning of the series, despite having been named in the expanded squad. The plan was for Australia to maintain its traditional balance of six batsmen, a wicketkeeper and four bowlers. However, injuries to Warner and Pucovksi have altered the plans, which has led Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one Test) and has created an opportunity at number 6. This does not mean that Green does not 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 for his batting alone.
