Versatile Green shows promise with the ball early doors
Written by Ben McCure
In Cameron Green’s short Test career, he has already showcased his immense talent and potential as a batsman. However, it was his bowling in the first and second Ashes Tests that captured the attention of many.
Prior to the opener at the Gabba, a Test match wicket had alluded the Australian allrounder, whose bowling was used sparingly in his debut series against India last season.
His wicketless summer against India was partly to do with his bowling load, easing his way back to the bowling crease from stress fractures in his back.
Fast forward 12 months, and Green is fully fit, bowling fast and taking wickets; all set to play a big role the rest of this Ashes series. His first Test scalp came on Day 1 at the Gabba, when Ollie Pope skied a hook shot to a diving Josh Hazlewood at fine-leg, sending Australians on and off the field into raptures.
With the wicketless monkey off the back, Green carried the same momentum into Australia’s second bowling innings, picking up the key wicket of Joe Root, who was closing in on a century.
The moment turned the innings, and from there Australia cruised to a nine-wicket victory.
Green claimed the wicket of Chris Woakes late in England’s second innings, adding to his tally for the match.
A jubilant Australian side celebrate Green's first international wicket in the First Ashes Test - Photo credit: Matt Roberts
The ability to break partnerships could be something we see more of from Green as this series plays out, with his impact having the potential to extend far beyond offering respite for the quicks.
Green's workload was managed by Steve Smith and the team's medical staff on Day 5 of the Second Test in Adelaide today, as revealed by the captain in his post-game interview with Fox Cricket.
Green wasn't introduced into the attack until late into the last day's play, with medical staff perhaps nervous of repeating lower back issues the 22-year old has had before.
Having previously opened the bowling at Sheffield Shield level, Green is quickly establishing himself as one of the Australian frontline quicks, after being described by captain Pat Cummins as a genuine fourth seamer.
Combined with his batting prowess, it makes the 198cm West-Australian the ideal allrounder going forward.
Despite Green’s undeniable future in Australia’s Test side, there have been suggestions that Mitch Marsh’s recent white-ball form with the bat could rival his role at Test level.
Although Green’s position in the team is safe for the foreseeable future, those calls for Mitch Marsh's return to the test side will only become louder should he fail to score runs this series.
After being bowled first ball in the first innings in Brisbane after shouldering arms and a low first-innings score in Adelaide, Green will be looking to bounce back on Boxing Day and set himself up for the rest of the international summer.