Almanac Cricket: Why it’s too soon to unleash Cameron Green

 

by Dan Hoban

 

 

There seems little doubt that Cameron Donald Green is destined to play for Australia in all formats. His iconic middle name suggests that even his parents had a premonition that their newborn was destined for cricketing greatness.

 

The question is not if, but when.

 

Green debuted for WA in 2017 as a first-change bowler who slotted in at number eight behind the wicket-keeper and genuine all-rounders. He now boasts a Shield average of a fraction under 50 and bats at number 4 behind the WA skipper, Shaun Marsh. He bowls like the wind too.(30 wickets at 21 apiece).

 

When George Bailey, Trevor Hohns and JL sit down, or rather Zoom in, to pick the 17-man squad for the First Test in Adelaide beginning on the 17th December the name CD Green is sure to be mentioned. For starters he was already named in the ODI and T20 squad so it seems he is already on their radar.

 

Allrounders are like gangly ruckmen in another sport. They sometimes take time to develop and progress can be sporadic, not linear. The analogy is most apt: Green is 7 foot tall after all!

 

If there is a need for caution in picking Green too early look no further than within Green’s own Western Australian dressing room. Ashton Agar….remember him.

 

Green has the potential to be Australia’s Ben Stokes: a match-winner. He looks capable of scoring big hundreds and takings 5 – fors in the Test arena. But, he could easily become a Shane Watson-type- quite a good player but frustatingly not in the class of Stokes, Kallis and before that the great allrounders of last century; Botham, Dev, Hadlee, Imran. Watto seemed to have it all at times but was not at the elite level.

 

I would like to see Green dominate at domestic level until next season. Let him learn how to mix the cordial or at least hand out the Gatorade and figure out his own game. He is still 21.

 

So, although I have Green in the 17-man squad he’s outside the 11 who take the field in Adelaide. With three Shield games in progress as I write this piece there are still some performances to consider. (Green scored 56, which will neither harm nor enhance his chances.)

 

The COVID/19 Squad:

 

Pucovski

Warner

Labushagne

Smith

Head

Henriques (an old favourite who I still think has some Tests left in him)

Paine captain, wk

Wade

Abbott

Starc

Cummins

Lyon

Swepson – has bowled himself into contention

Green

Burns

Hazelwood

Harris

 

Possibly too many opening batsmen in the squad but Pucovski and Warner would be my preferred pairing. Burns and Harris are there as cover.

 

Swepson has bowled well for QLD and must be in a race with the 33 year old Lyon for the spinners berth.

 

I have Henriques, Wade and Green all vying for the Number 6 position. Moises could be the feel-good story of 2020. Green’s time will come though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Dan, it’s nice to have some serious young batting contenders in consideration. They have been few and far between in recent years. Though I have to wonder if the Shield scoring isn’t a reflection of getting to play on some good old SA roads.

    If you’re not going to pick Pucovski now, then when will you?

    I’m still not completely sold on Head and Wade as our middle order, but tend to agree with you that Green may need some more time.

    Once again, it will be crucial to make the initial squad because of the disjointed itinerary. There’ll be no further red ball opportunities for those outside the squad before February!

    Cheers

  2. Thanks for opening up this discussion, Dan.

    That’s not a bad squad. Yes, I would definitely have Green in the 17. And Pucovski must open. Harris deserves another chance, but Burns has had plenty of chances. For mine, at the age of 33, it is time to look past Moises. I would definitely have Michael Neser in there – he is a good cricketer, and I would play him before Patto. Agar might also be worth a slot.

  3. John, It is odd that Warner will come in with no first class matches under his belt. And a few others. There are obviously some dead wickets although NSW fell for 64 and then the wicket must have improved as they got 500-odd in the second innings.
    Smokie,Yes Neser is a good player. If Abbott was picked it would be an all Blues bowling attack. Maybe Trent Copeland as another smokie. Abbott has been more than handy with the bat as has Neser. Its lineball really.

  4. Luke Reynolds says

    I think they will stick with Wade and Head for now ahead of Green. But Green’s time will come very soon.
    What a move by Chris Rogers to put Pucovski in to open. His case is very strong to be there for the 1st Test.

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