Cameron Green: The New Australian Cricket Promise Ready to Debut
Western Australia’s young all-rounder, 21-year-old Cameron Green, is set to make his debut at the Adelaide Oval. His first appearance is one of the most anticipated in recent times.Professional Career
In first-class cricket, Green has proven to be exceptional. He has achieved five centuries in 21 matches, including a career-high of 197 runs at the beginning of this season against New South Wales, the most recent being against the Indians last week, with a batting average of 55.04. In a match against Queensland at the Gabba in November 2019, he demonstrated his ability 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 obtained his best mark of 6 for 30 in 2018. His career in the white ball format does not stand out as much, although he made his ODI debut a couple of weeks ago, but this is only a few matches: nine in List A and T20. It is with the red (and pink) ball that he is generating excitement.Great Expectations
Greg Chappell has called him “the best since Ricky Ponting”. In June, Chappell selected him at number 6 in the test team.
“For me, Cameron Green is the next Australian cricket superstar,” he said. “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 an exceptionally talented batsman. At 6ft 7in, 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.”Recent Injury Concern
There was a worrying moment when he was hit on the head by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery at the SCG. He immediately left the field and was substituted due to concussion. Fortunately, the blow did not cause major damage, and it seems that he will comply with all Cricket Australia protocols to be able to debut.The All-Terrain Vehicle Dreamed of by Australia?
Perhaps, but with caution. He has had restricted bowling loads 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 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 the ability to take wickets: he claimed two in the second innings against the Indians 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 loosened. “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.”Early Debut?
In a way, yes. In fact, just a few weeks ago it seemed unlikely that he would be part of the XI at the start of the series despite being 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, recently, plans have been altered due to injuries to Warner and Pucovksi, which has led Australia to reorganize the batting order (at least for one test) and that has created the opening in the number 6 position. That’s 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, with Justin Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns saying he is worthy of selection just for his batting.
