Cameron Green surges up Australia’s allrounder list, Mitch Marsh scrubbed off for now
While Mitch Marsh has done his international future no favours after breaking his hand, a state teammate is very much in Aussie selection thoughts and could soon be given his chance to shine.
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Mitchell Marsh’s dressing room punch has almost certainly ruled him out for the rest of the summer, as selectors confirmed that young West Australian Cameron Green has become a player of immense interest.
Test great Ricky Ponting urged selectors to immediately blood the 20-year-old all-rounder in the squad to face New Zealand as a transition into the big time for a potential superstar in the making, who has already drawn comparisons to England matchwinner Andrew Flintoff.
Australia resisted that urge with Green currently unable to bowl due to stress fractures, but Selection Chairman Trevor Hohns confirmed his name has been discussed and hinted that one of the most exciting debuts in recent Test history may not be too far away.
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“I always say if they are good enough they are old enough. I don’t have an issue with his age, it’s more about whether his body can cope and what he can do bowling, particularly in the all-rounder category,” said Hohns.
“We know he’s a very good bat. He’s a fine upcoming young player.
“He has certainly been discussed by us but at the moment he is not bowling. He’ll be having a scan on his back this week to see if he can start to bowl again and once that happens we’ll obviously keen a good eye on him.”
Although he’s not ready now, Green’s rise in estimations has in turn cast doubts over the immediate future of current No. 1 all-rounder – his WA captain – Mitch Marsh.
When the Ashes-winning star put his fist through the WACA dressing room wall in anger after being dismissed in the lead-up to the first Test, it was initially hoped Marsh would be available for the second half of the summer.
However, Marsh’s recovery from fractures in his hand has not progressed as hoped and Hohns said the 28-year-old was virtually no chance of being available if needed against New Zealand.
Green started his career as the fourth choice West Australian all-rounder behind Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright.
This season he has already made two centuries and is arguably the form batsman of the Sheffield Shield, with an ability - when fit - to also bowl at over 140km/h.
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Tall and athletic, many believe Green has the makings of the once in a generation all-rounder Australia has always craved.
The youngster looks to have leapfrogged Stoinis and could find himself in a head-to-head jostle with Marsh once both are fit.
Marsh’s brain-snap has cost him dearly, particularly at a time when the No. 6 spot was his for the taking.
“He’s pretty doubtful at the moment. The latest info we have on him is his hand was coming out of a splint very, very soon. He was yet to do any hitting with the bat so he will be monitored over the next couple of weeks,” said Hohns.
“(All-rounder options) are thin on the ground, without disrespecting anybody. Of course there’s Mitchell Marsh and then there’s Marcus Stoinis and then there’s young Cameron Green, who is probably not ready yet either.
“He’s not able to bowl too much, but he is a very good up and coming young player.
“We’d have to have a look at that if we require an all-rounder and we would only require one if we were going to play two specialist spinners in Sydney.”
Originally published as Cameron Green surges up Australia’s allrounder list, Mitch Marsh scrubbed off for now
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