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’s a little about him.
How has your career been so far?
In first-class cricket, Green has stood out remarkably. He has accumulated five centuries in 21 matches, including a personal record of 197 earlier this season against New South Wales. His batting average is 55.04. In a match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, 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 runs for his 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 he doesn’t stand out as much in white-ball cricket, 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 great expectation.
Great Expectations
It could be said that yes. Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting” in recent interviews. In June, Chappell included him in the number 6 position of the test team in a hypothetical scenario.
For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar. He is a genuine prospect with the bat and ball, but I think his future lies 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
The recent concern about the 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 immediately and was substituted for concussion, as well as undergoing tests that ruled out any fractures. Fortunately, the blow has not caused major damage (unlike Will Pucovski, Green has no history of concussions) and it seems that he will pass all Cricket Australia protocols to be able to debut.
Is it the all-terrain vehicle that Australia has dreamed of?
Maybe, but with caution. That has nothing to do with talent, but with the release restrictions 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 delivery 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, 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.”
Has their debut arrived sooner than expected?
In a way, yes. In fact, just a few weeks ago it seemed unlikely that he would enter the XI at the start of the series, despite having been named in the expanded squad. However, plans have been altered by the injuries of 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 is not to say that Green doesn’t deserve it. In 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.
