Cameron Green reveals the challenges of becoming a three-format player for Australia

Liam O'Loughlin

Cameron Green reveals the challenges of becoming a three-format player for Australia image

Cameron Green has opened up on the challenges facing him as a three-format player, with the Australian rising star continuing to manage his cricket heading into a busy summer.

The 23-year-old continues to impress for the Aussies with both bat and ball, securing a spot in the recent T20 World Cup squad and beginning to feature in more white-ball cricket.

Green came into the Australian set-up predominantly as a red-ball player, but his immense talent has seen selectors give him some opportunities in both ODIs and T20s this year.

Speaking on The Unplayable PodcastGreen explained the difficulties of becoming a multi-format player, especially heading into Test series against both West Indies and South Africa.

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“It definitely felt weird not having a red-ball prep into Test cricket," he said.

"I think it’s just new challenges of being in the Australian set-up. You strive to be a three-format player, so that’s obviously the challenge that comes with it.

"It’s definitely the longest I’ve had in the white-ball set-up.

“It was awesome [featuring in the T20WC] – especially getting that game at the very end there. To get used to what a World Cup can be like, whether that is leading into the World Cup next year or to World Cups in the future.

"It’s always awesome to get a look into what it’s like without getting properly thrown in the deep-end."

Green played just one game in the T20WC, but was used in overseas white-ball tours during 2022 as well as the warm-up series against England on home soil.

And his early move into the white-ball arena has seen his name tossed around for the upcoming IPL auction, with many experts believing Green will attract plenty of interest from cashed-up franchises.

“I have registered for it...it will be an exciting opportunity – speaking to a lot of guys, especially in the WA set-up, with their experiences in the IPL, and they speak so highly of it," he said.

"They speak about the quality coaches that you’re around, the quality of players that you’re around – they are the best in the world at their craft.

"It’s a craft that I haven’t been exposed to too much, and it’s one that I’m open to learn as much as I can. That’s one of the best environments to learn.

“Stoin [Marcus Stoinis] said that it helped his game like nothing else, especially being put in those high-pressure environments."

Green however has been warned of burning out by an Australian teammate, with such a packed schedule in the next 12 months likely to take a toll on the multi-format players. 

David Warner told reporters on Monday that playing in the IPL would be a 'big call' for Green and something the talented young gun needs to weigh up.

"From an experience point of view it's great...from a playing point of view, he's got four Test matches and a few one-dayers after it," he said. 

"Nineteen weeks straight in India, being your first trip as well, can be quite challenging from the heat perspective, the playing, the recovery. I’ve been through it, I've done the Test series and the IPL straight before (in 2017). It is tough.

"Then on the back of that you've got five Test matches in England. Then I think you've got 20 days off before you go to South Africa and then go to a World Cup.

"Glenn Maxwell did it a couple of years ago, played the whole year and then was cooked come the season.

"From a youngster's point of view it's totally up to him, it's his decision he has to make. For the longevity of him and his career, it's a big call for him as a youngster.

"Whatever decision he goes with we'll respect it as players - but ultimately it's down to him and CA, I don't know what those conversations are."

Green will play his first Test match on home soil this week, with the all-rounder expected to be selected in the Aussie side to face the West Indies in Perth.

It is likely that the all-rounder will be called upon plenty by skipper Pat Cummins, with his bowling coming along in leaps and bounds during last summer's Ashes series against England.

“It’s going really well, my body is in a really good place," Green said.

"You always kind of wish that you had a couple of red-ball games under your belt, just to get into that rhythm. Thankfully I’m the fifth bowler in the team and I can work my way in, I don’t have to go attacking from ball one.

"Hopefully I can work my way into the series and it’s in a really good place. Not managed carefully, just not having too high expectations on myself."

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.