Cameron Green: The Next Australian Cricket Star Debuts

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

Western Australia’s young allrounder, Cameron Green, only 21 years old, is ready to make his debut with Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His first appearance is one of the most anticipated in recent times, here we tell you more about him.

Highlighted Career

In first-class cricket, his performance has been outstanding. He has accumulated five centuries in 21 matches, including an impressive 197, his personal best, earlier this season against New South Wales. His most recent game was against the Indians last week, where he averaged 55.04 runs with the bat. A key match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019 demonstrated his potential, 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 achieved his best figures of 6 for 30 in 2018. Although his career in the white-ball format doesn’t stand out as much, he debuted in ODIs a couple of weeks ago, but has only played in nine matches in List A and T20 formats. It is with the red (and pink) ball that he is generating great expectation.

Great Expectations

Expectations are high. Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting.” In June, there was speculation about the possibility of Australia playing Test and T20I matches on the same day. Chappell selected him directly for the number 6 position in the Test team.

“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” Chappell said. “He’s a real 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 put him to 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

Concern about Recent Injury

A worrying moment was when Green was hit on the head by a bouncer 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 Cricket Australia’s protocols to be able to debut.

The Allrounder Dreamed of by Australia?

Perhaps, but with caution. This is not due to his talent, but to the release restrictions due to a stress fracture in his back that he suffered last year. He has worked on his technique 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 wicket-taking ability: he took two in the second innings against the Indians at Drummoyne Oval and delivered an excellent delivery 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 few 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.”

Debut Before Expected?

In a way, yes. In fact, a few weeks ago it seemed unlikely that he would be part of the starting eleven at the beginning of the series, despite having been named in the expanded squad. The preferred 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, which led Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one Test) and that has created an opening at number 6. This is not to say that Green doesn’t deserve it. 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.