Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is expressing a strong sense of personal batting evolution as he prepares for the upcoming Ashes Test in Adelaide. Despite an injury-plagued start to his international career, the 26-year-old feels his game has matured significantly, providing him with greater confidence.
“I feel like I’ve just got more ways to go about it,” Green explained regarding his enhanced batting capabilities. He detailed how his approach has become more sophisticated, moving beyond a limited set of shots to a more versatile and adaptable method at the crease. This includes the confidence to employ varied tactics like advancing down the wicket and playing specific shots tailored to the game’s demands. “You got to walk down the wicket, you’ve got a bit more confidence to back away, play certain shots that you find that are appropriate for that situation.”
Green attributes much of his progress to the high-caliber players surrounding him in the Australian setup. Learning from the tactical acumen and execution of batsmen like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne has been profoundly beneficial. “I’m watching them, how they go about it in certain situations, and then trying to build that into my game,” he revealed.
Looking back at his dismissal in the first Test, Green sees it as a crucial learning curve, emphasizing the strategic decisions made under pressure. “All those things that you kind of weigh up during an innings to work out what the best thing is for the team,” he said, acknowledging the calculated risk and the opponent’s successful execution. “It looks quite bad when you get out. You walk off a little bit embarrassed. But I think they’re really great learnings for future games,” he added.
With Australia on the brink of retaining the Ashes with a 2-0 lead, Green is mindful of the need for sustained concentration. He referenced England’s historical ability to fight back in series, underscoring the importance of maintaining focus. “That’s a good reminder for our team to stay really level,” Green stated, reinforcing the team’s resolve to finish the series strongly. The third Test is scheduled to begin on December 17th in Adelaide.