Cameron Green has got the ability and he showed he also has the toughness after pushing through the pain barrier to lead Australia to victory over New Zealand in the first ODI in Cairns.
Emerging star Green held his nerve with a career best 89 not out as Australia survived a late collapse to chase down the Black Caps’ modest target of 232.
The 23-year-old’s efforts, alongside Alex Carey (85) were impressive enough without considering the fact he struggled badly with cramps and was battling just to walk at times.
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Green had to receive treatment on multiple occasions and was clearly in severe discomfort as he struggled to move in the late stages of the run chase.
“I’ve seen statues with more leg movement than him,” Kerry O’Keeffe said on the Fox Cricket commentary, with Brad Haddin likening Green to the Wizard of Oz’s Tin Man.
Green still managed to score the crucial runs, and rotate the strike with Adam Zampa late in the innings. He later revealed he wasn’t sure he would finish the game but backed himself to recover in time for the second match on Thursday.
“I couldn’t really walk for a second there,” Green told Fox Cricket after the match.
“Groin, calf, hamstring and forearm – the whole lot was going. Not ideal but that’s OK.”
Green’s full range of all-round skills have been on display for Australia recently. He took 5-33 in a man-of-the-match performance in Australia’s opening win over Zimbabwe last week.
