Cameron Green, a star all-rounder, stated that he is prepared to lead Australia’s batting in Test matches if needed. Green has been given the chance to bat at No. 4, with Steve Smith stepping up to begin the batting alongside Usman Khawaja, following David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket in January.
The young player helped Australia win the series 2-0 in March after smashing a spectacular century against New Zealand and taking three wickets.
The nature of international cricket is that there are usually three or four players who want to bat at number four. Growing up, everyone bats in the three or four spot for the duration of their career. Only when you reach the Australian level do you realise that, “Hey, Travis Head and Steve Smith are both pretty good No. 4s; Marnus could do it.” That’s the bad thing about it; I played that position my entire domestic career. Speaking about his move to No. 4, Green stated in the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, “You have to fit everyone in and not everyone can bat at four.”
Smith has risen to the top of the order, but he hasn’t had much success. As an opener, the all-time great batter is only averaging 28.50 from eight innings. In the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, if Smith goes back to No. 4, Green might find himself out of position. The 25-year-old declared that if necessary, he is prepared to open the batting for Australia in the game’s longest format.
“We will need to observe and wait. I believe that Steve [Smith] has complete control. I’m happy to manoeuvre around him no matter what happens because he has earned the right to bat where he wants to bat. “He deserves the freedom to bat where he wants to bat because he’s a great player,” said Green.
You always want to offer yourself as an Australian player: Cameron Green
Although Green acknowledges that it will be difficult to open the batting in a Test match, he is prepared to take on the challenge in order to keep representing Australia.
You always want to offer yourself to play for Australia, and although I believe that opening would be challenging, I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity. I was willing to do it six or nine months ago, but we’ll have to wait and see what the selectors decide.
“I’ve opened the batting after bowling a few times for Australia in Twenty20 cricket,” stated Green. “In India, I believe I bowled the 20th over before being asked to open the batting, which was a difficult request. That needs to be taken into account.
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“It’s a different conversation, but I know Shane Watson used to do it. I’m not sure if his overs went down when he chose to be an opener,” he said.
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