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Patience key for aspirant allrounder Green

3 minute read

Cameron Green, the youngest member of Australia's squad, says he is bowling at full intensity but still needs to build up workloads while hunting a Test debut.

CAMERON GREEN of Western Australia bats during the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at WACA in Perth, Australia.
CAMERON GREEN of Western Australia bats during the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at WACA in Perth, Australia. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Cameron Green and coach Justin Langer have preached the value of patience as the youngest member of Australia's Test squad seeks to build up the bowling workloads that could earn him a baggy green.

Green has been likened to Andrew Flintoff and earmarked the next big thing in Australian cricket for some time.

But a back stress fracture has forced the 21-year-old to play as a batsman rather than an allrounder for most of the past year.

Green took the setback in his stride and sealed a Test call-up by scoring 197 against NSW a month ago, when legend Greg Chappell described the West Australian as the best batting talent he'd seen since Ricky Ponting.

Green has since bowled in two matches for his state, with national selectors understandably excited about the prospect of unleashing a batsman who has previously taken the new ball.

The young gun is unlikely to play the series opener but a Boxing Day debut could potentially be on the cards, especially if the MCG pitch is as flat as it has been in recent years.

"We have to be patient with our young fast bowlers," Langer said, citing injury-riddled starts to the careers of Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson.

"We know he's got enormous talent but he's had two stress fractures.

"We have to show the due respect that's required and we have to patient."

Green has no expectations for the summer, suggesting he will join Langer's squad with an open mind and determination to be patient when it comes to bowling.

"I'll slowly build up the workloads," he said.

"Just had 12 overs each game for the last two games.

"The back feels really good. I think it's just going to be a slow process back to full fitness, but yeah bowling wise and intensity wise I'm bowling at 100 per cent.

"Bowling is feeling really good. The rhythm felt surprisingly OK, given I hadn't bowled in a while."

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns broke the good news to Green on Wednesday night.

"I missed the initial call," he said.

"Called him back a minute or two later.

"I called dad first and he didn't pick up. Called mum, she didn't pick up. Then luckily dad called me back.

"It was an incredibly proud moment for everyone."

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