Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has considered the idea of opening the batting for his team in Test cricket. The all-important role of an opener was left vacant in the Australian line-up earlier this year after the Test retirement of David Warner.
Cameron Green whacked his career-best Test score this year (x.com)
Seasoned middle-order batter Steve Smith took up the role by joining Usman Khawaja at the top of the order during Australia’s subsequent series against West Indies and New Zealand.
Green, a middle-order explosive batter by design, said that while opening the innings for Australia will certainly be a challenge, it is not something he will back out of if he was offered the same.
Cameron Green leaves decision up to Steve Smith
Cameron Green plundered his career-best Test score of 174* against New Zealand at Wellington earlier this year. Batting at his usual number four position and facing 275 balls in the process, the dashing all-rounder smeared 23 boundaries and five sixes and catalysed Australia’s 172-run win in the match.
During a recent interview with Wisden, Green said that he will not refuse an opportunity of opening the innings for Australia, even though he described the opener’s profile a ‘difficult’ one. He said:
“You always want to put your hand up to play for Australia and I think opening would be a difficult one, but not something I would say no to. We’ll have to see what the selectors decide to do, but at the same time I was open to do it six or nine months ago.”
Cameron Green, however, added that Steve Smith has earned the right to bat at whatever position he wants to.
“We'll have to wait and see. I think it's totally up to Steve Smith. He's earned the right to bat where he wants to bat and whatever happens, I'm happy to move around him. He's a great of the game, and he's earned the right to bat where he wants to bat.”
The Australian cricket team is currently bracing itself to host India for a blockbuster five-match Test series at home later this year. The series, marking the latest chapter in the ‘Border-Gavaskar Trophy’ saga, also constitutes a part of the ongoing 2023-25 WTC cycle.
