Young Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is feeling more confident than ever about his batting prowess. Despite a career marked by interruptions from injuries since his 2019 debut, Green feels his game has reached new heights ahead of the crucial third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
“I feel like I’m a better batter than I was a few years ago, and hopefully I’m a better batter in the future than now,” Green stated. He elaborated on his development, noting a broader range of shots and increased confidence. “When you first start, you’ve probably got a cover drive and a pull shot. Where now you got to walk down the wicket, you’ve got a bit more confidence to back away, play certain shots that you find that are appropriate for that situation.”
Green attributes this significant improvement to the invaluable experience of playing alongside seasoned Australian teammates. He emphasizes the learning opportunities provided by observing batting stalwarts like Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne in various match scenarios. “The beauty of being in a team of really experienced guys around me is that I’m watching them, how they go about it in certain situations, and then trying to build that into my game.”
Reflecting on his unique dismissal in the first Ashes Test, Green acknowledged the need for a consistently positive approach. “It looks quite bad when you get out. You walk off a little bit embarrassed. But I think they’re really great learnings for future games,” he admitted. He recounted the specific instance where a well-executed yorker from Brydon Carse, after he had been facing a barrage of bouncers, caught him out of position.
Despite the occasional setback, Green remains focused on team strategy. “All those things that you kind of weigh up during an innings to work out what the best thing is for the team,” he explained. Australia currently leads the Ashes series 2-0 and aims to secure victory in Adelaide, a decade after England last held the coveted trophy. Green, however, is mindful of England’s comeback potential, referencing their fightback in the 2023 series. “That’s a good reminder for our team to stay really level. You can at times look a bit far ahead, but that’s a great reminder for us to stay as good as we can be and finish it off.”