Cameron Green reveals he was ‘95 per cent sure’ he would open the batting before Steve Smith’s tenure at the top of the order

Cameron Green is set to take his place at number three in the Australian Test batting line up for the World Test Championship but two years ago, he was certain he was going to be our next opener.

Cameron Green, who is on the move up to No. 3 for the World Test Championship Final, has revealed that Australia previously held a secret plan to turn him into an opening batsman.

The return of the towering batsman from back stress fractures for the Lord’s showdown with South Africa on Wednesday, just months after spinal surgery, is a massive boost for Australian cricket.

Green won’t bowl again until the Ashes but he will play a crucial role in the WTC Final as Australia’s anchor in the No. 3 batting position.

Steve Smith’s purple patch of form has seized back the No. 4 position the West Australian had occupied for four Tests before his injury, but being forced higher in the order does not daunt Green – in fact last year he was set to follow in Shane Watson’s footsteps as an opening all-rounder.

“Even before (last summer’s Indian series), even against the West Indies (2023-24) when Steve (Smith) went to open, I was basically 95 per cent sure I was going to open,” Green revealed.

Cameron Green is set to bat at no. 3 against South Africa. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

“It’s pretty incredible how it worked itself out. Steve gave me a little go at No. 4 and then took it back and played incredibly well.

“To be honest (batting No. 3 in WTC Final) would be only one position higher.

“Maybe in England it makes a bit more difference because of the drastic changes in what the ball can be in the 15 over mark compared to the 30th.

“But I think you speak to most guys here. I think they’ve all batted in the top 3 their whole junior careers, even early senior careers. Really until they get up to first class cricket where you fit into however the team shapes up.

“I think all of us could bat in the top 3.”

Green looked to have staked serious claim to cementing himself as Australia’s long-term No. 4 when he smashed a sterling 174 not out against New Zealand last year, but said there were no hard feelings about Smith seizing the plum spot back.

“It was a nice reminder maybe to myself that I can do a role in that position,” he said.

“It’s nice to take that small window of opportunity that was there but at the same time Steve Smith is Steve Smith and he can choose where he wants to bat and he’s earned the right to do that.”

Steve Smith during his short lived tenure as Test opener against West Indies. Picture: Izhar KHAN / AFP

Originally it seemed Green would have to bide his time until the upcoming tour of the West Indies to force his way back into the Australian XI given the experience of Marnus Labuschagne, the vibrancy of Sam Konstas and the importance of Beau Webster bowling as the all-rounder at No.6.

But Green knocked down the door and then some with three bulldozing hundreds for Gloucestershire in English county cricket on the eve of the WTC Final and demanded selection.

Green credits his close bond with Gloucestershire captain and former Australian Test opener Cameron Bancroft for helping nail his opportunity.

“Just coming off runs always is a massive confidence booster to know you’re not too far away from good stuff,” Green said.

“When you’re not searching for your next run is a really good feeling. To be able to come out here and get a couple of hundreds in England reasonably early in my first-class career is hopefully going to be really beneficial in future tours here.

“I think whether or not I made three hundreds or not, I was just looking to spend a lot of time out in the middle. I think that’s what you obviously miss most when you’re not playing is that time in the middle.”

Cameron Green making a century for Gloucestershire. Source: X/Gloucestershire Cricket @Gloscricket

Green said he had no doubts about going under the knife to have his spine operated on when his surgeon assured him his usual patients are cash crash victims with far more perilous situations than a stress fracture.

“I spoke to (Aussie ODI quick) Ben Dwarshuis who was on the trip in England (last year when I did my back).

“I got to know him before giving him a call about his own back surgery.

“I’m obviously really close with (another Aussie ODI quick) Jason Behrendorff who had his done.

“They couldn’t speak any higher of it. They both basically said they wished they got it earlier. That’s really reassuring before you get it done.

“Speaking to the surgeon. He’s a back surgeon so he sees people who come out of a car accident and he’s putting them back together. All that was wrong with mine was a little crack and maybe a little bit of hydra growth in my bone.

“It was a no-brainer. It was a chance for me to play cricket a little bit more injury free, or maybe extend my bowling career.”

Originally published as Cameron Green reveals he was ‘95 per cent sure’ he would open the batting before Steve Smith’s tenure at the top of the order