Green is confident in “plugging holes” and playing a flexible role for Australia

Following his IPL success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he emerged in a middle-order position, Cameron Green is certain he might cover a number of roles at the T20 World Cup 2024.

After mostly returning to the team to bat from Nos. 4 to No. 6 before the final match, when he replaced the absent Will Jacks at No. 3, Green concluded IPL 2024 with scores of 37*, 1, 46, 32*, 38*, and 27 (the most recent last). This was during RCB’s late charge into the playoffs.

Prior to the IPL 2023, Green’s most significant T20 innings had come either at No. 3 or as an opener, with the latter scoring his first T20 century. However, as he has evolved in a variety of roles under the direction of RCB batting coach Neil McKenzie, his confidence has increased while giving Australia some potentially significant options in the Caribbean.

“Think that’s the beauty of what I’ve been exposed to in the last few years; there’s never been a really consistent spot to really lock in but at the same time, I’m pretty thankful for that,” Green told the media. I think that’s where I envision myself in this tournament—filling in any gaps on the team—because I feel like I can step in in a lot of different roles. It’s not too difficult to join this team. Regardless of where I’m advised to bat, I believe I have some confidence and know where to bat.

“When you bat up [in] the top [order], two fielders out at the beginning, you can play pretty proper cricket. It’s pretty different.” I may have needed some time to truly figure out how to approach it [in the middle order]. Even so, when you are a novice, it may not feel like you have 10 balls. You may still give yourself 10 balls to kind of get yourself in.”

Australia is willing to play eight batters if the situation calls for it, even if Green might not start the tournament in the starting lineup. He could even push Marcus Stoinis out of the way. Green also developed his ability to handle pressure from a high-scoring IPL in that lineup, where his bowling would become a crucial component of the team’s equilibrium. His economic rate was less than nine at the end.

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After a difficult 2023 because of the strain of going directly from the Indian Premier League to the England Test trip, Australia has handled Green really well this year. After David Warner retired, Green lost his spot in the Test team and was then called up to play against the West Indies. Instead of playing T20Is against New Zealand, the selectors chose to leave him in Sheffield Shield cricket. This choice was rewarded with a stunning 174 not out in Wellington.

Green has benefited from playing red and white-ball cricket, so the idea that he would have an entire IPL to prepare for the T20 World Cup was one of his driving forces. However, switching between formats will remain an important aspect of Green’s career.

“I’ve definitely noticed the difference; this is probably the most prepared I’ve been for some sort of tour,” remarked the actor. The IPL this year is amazing because you really had some incredible practice beforehand. “You always move from a test tour into a T20, a T20 into a test tour, so it’s pretty extreme.”

Finding a way to put one tournament ahead of others requires a delicate balance. They reasoned that it could be better to continue playing red-ball cricket over the summer after the T20 [series against New Zealand] since we had the IPL thereafter, but things will change.