Uncapped prodigy set to be unleashed in one-day series against India

He’s one of the most exciting talents Australia has produced for decades, and young gun Cameron Green is finally set to be unleashed.

Cameron Green of Western Australia.

Cricket prodigy Cameron Green has been named in the Australian squad for the upcoming short-format series against India.

On Thursday, the national selection panel unveiled an 18-player squad for Australia’s upcoming ODI and T20 series, with several notable inclusions.

Green and New South Wales all-rounder Moises Henriques were the surprise additions, while spin bowler Nathan Lyon and young gun Josh Phillippe were brutally omitted.

As he continues to recover from an ankle injury acquired during the Indian Premier League, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was also not named.

Pace bowlers Andrew Tye and Riley Meredith also missed out, while Sean Abbott and Daniel Sams retained their spot alongside the usual stalwarts.

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Green became one of Australia’s most exciting prospects after his breakthrough summer in the Sheffield Shield last season.

The West Australian scored 699 runs at an average of 63.54, including three centuries — no other cricketer managed as many three-figure totals last season.

Green then made headlines last week by plundering 197 — his highest first-class score — against New South Wales in Adelaide.

Cameron Green of Western Australia celebrates a century.

The 21-year-old is also capable of bowling above 140km/h, but has been unable to bowl for several months as recovers from a back strain.

However, Green confirmed on Tuesday he could debut a new bowling technique during Friday’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

Green currently averages 52.23 with the bat and 21.53 with the ball in first-class cricket. As a point of comparison, Australian opening batsman David Warner averages 49.15 in first-class cricket, while superstar pace bowler Pat Cummins averages 22.79.

Only one other current Australian cricketer averages more than 50 with the bat in first-class cricket — Steve Smith.

Although Green has excelled primarily in the game’s longest format, national selector Trevor Hohns explained the upcoming one-day series will provide valuable experience for the youngster.

“Cameron’s domestic form has been outstanding and he has carried it through for Western Australia this summer,” Hohns said.

“As a potential player of the future this is an opportunity for him to be part of the squad and build on his experience.”

With Marsh’s spot at No. 6 in the ODI side available, Green will battling Marcus Stoinis and Henriques for the vacant position.

Cameron Green has excelled again this year deserving his spot in the Aussie team. Well done young man. #westisbest #MADETOUGH #Cricket

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 29, 2020

This week, former Test captain Greg Chappell called Green the “next superstar” of Australian cricket, assessing him as the country’s best talent since Ricky Ponting.

“This is a serious player, this is a special player,” Chappell told The Australian.

“He is the best young player I’ve seen since Ricky Ponting. He is our next superstar.

“I’ve been telling anyone who will listen for a couple of years now. I saw him a hit a couple of shots when he was 17 one day and it was obvious he was a batsman.

“You just have to pick him now before he breaks his back and he can’t play. My greatest fear about him is that everyone gets excited about his bowling and the kid can bowl, he is a rare talent there as well. But you know that if he bowls 20 to 30 overs a game for Western Australia he will break.”

Despite his recent success in the game’s longest format, Green is not expecting to receive a Baggy Green anytime soon.

“I think the Test squad is pretty settled at the moment,” Green told The Boundary Rider Podcast.

“I don’t think there will be much change in the actual team.

“Obviously it’s really nice to hear (praise), but at the same time you try not to buy into that at all.

“There’s obviously a few nice things (the media) have been staying but I’ve been trying to stay grounded a bit.

“I’ve got a really good group of mates in the WA system who keep me back with my feet on the ground and I suppose you have to keep your head up.”

Moises Henriques of the Blues.

Meanwhile, Henriques has not represented Australia in any format since 2017, but selectors have rewarded the 33-year-old for his consistency in domestic cricket.

The New South Wales veteran was named join Player of the Sheffield Shield last summer, sharing the honour with Victorian batsman Nic Maddinson.

“Moises is a tremendous cricketer with loads of experience and is a great person to have around the group,” Hohns said.

“His form was extremely impressive in leading the Sixers to the BBL title last summer and he has played well at the start of this season.”

Australia first ODI match against India will take place at the SCG on Friday, November 27th.

AUSTRALIA ODI/T20 SQUAD: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa