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Ashwin hails 'once-in-a-generation' allrounder Green

3 minute read

Superstar Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has called allrounder Cameron Green a once-in-a-generation player after the Australia's breakthrough Test century.

CAMERON GREEN of Western Australia bats during the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at Gladys Elphick Park in Adelaide, Australia.
CAMERON GREEN of Western Australia bats during the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at Gladys Elphick Park in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed Cameron Green as a once-in-a-generation player after the Australia allrounder broke through for his maiden Test century.

Green got the "monkey off his back" by reaching three figures in his 20th match with a sparkling 114 in the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Long touted for greatness, most notably by Greg Chappell who called him Australia's most exciting talent since Ricky Ponting, Green scored six half-centuries before converting one to a ton.

Green celebrated in the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in style with star opener Usman Khawaja upon reaching his milestone.

Ashwin ended up taking Green's wicket on his way to 6-91, but could not speak highly enough of the 23-year-old.

Green was bought for a whopping $3.15 million by the Mumbai Indians in last year's Indian Premier League auction.

"I hope you tuned into the IPL auction, it just tells you how the Indian cricketing fraternity rates Cameron Green," Ashwin, who has 473 Test wickets, said.

"Just the raw materials for a person as tall as him, lovely levers, good batting sense, can bowl and really hit the deck well, moves pretty well in the field.

"These are once-in-a-generation cricketers you are talking about."

Ashwin also seemingly had a dig at his country's own development of young players when speaking about Green.

"We come from different countries - India is very different, we can't protect such players for a long period of time. It's perform or perish," Ashwin said.

"But in countries like Australia and England, they're doing pretty well at (protecting players) and I expect Cameron Green to be a wonderful cricketer down the line."

Green modestly spoke about the knock of his burgeoning international career.

"You feel more like a Test cricketer when you've got that monkey off your back, so it is nice to tick that off in a way. It's so special," he said.

"It's an incredibly tough game, and when you get moments like that you really cherish them.

"I've seen how tough Test cricket is and I'm enjoying every second of it."

After missing the first two matches of the series due to a broken finger, Green is making up for lost time.

There were doubts whether he could make an impact after being out for two months, but he is playing better than ever.

"All the rehab and recovery I did over those few months has really helped get to where I am now," Green said.

"It's been completely fine bowling, and batting there's maybe a couple of the pull shots hurt for a split second, but completely fine."

Former Australia great Matthew Hayden has liked what he has seen from Green since the towering WA debut.

"Ever since Cameron Green has been available to be picked for Australia, you can see the confidence rise," Hayden said during commentary.

"He adds a great, unique balance to the team.

"When he finds his ultimate tempo in Test match cricket, look out world!"

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