Cam Green maps out his bowling comeback with no restrictions as he continues his road to full fitness before the Ashes.
No Ashes restrictions: Cam Green maps out bowling plan.
Cameron Green, an all-rounder, has stated that he is willing to take on the task of batting at No. 3 and that he will not be subject to any bowling limits when the Ashes begins.
Since having back surgery in October of last year following his fifth stress fracture, Green has not bowled in a game. Green will make his bowling comeback this weekend when Western Australia plays New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield opener at the WACA venue, beginning on Saturday.
With WA captain Sam Whiteman having to control his overs throughout the game, Green will only be allowed to play eight overs in the match. However, he will gradually increase his workload in the upcoming Shield matches and ODIs for Australia.
Before the Ashes starts on November 21 at Perth’s Optus Stadium, Green anticipates playing three Shield matches and Australia’s ODI series against India.
Cam Green speaks on his comeback
“It’s been a long 12 months, but feeling really good,” Green said on Friday, before adding he was feeling no apprehension ahead of his bowling return. “The body’s in a good place. It’s been a really good rehab journey. I feel stronger, fitter, my action feels good.
“It will be eight overs for the [Shield] game. Just a steady build-up. The first Test should be no restrictions. That’s kind of the whole plan of the last year.
“That’s why it’s been such a slow build up – so that you’re peaking by the time the Ashes comes around.”
Green’s batting position
Despite being the current Test No. 3 and having batted in that position in Australia’s previous four Test matches, Green will bat at No. 4 for Western Australia in their Shield opener. Green only averaged 23.50 in those games, but in the context of those games, scores of 52, 26, 42, and 46—all in the Caribbean’s difficult batting conditions—were more valuable.
Despite serious doubts about Green’s ability to manage the workload of bowling important overs and batting so high in the order, there is a chance he will stay at No. 3 in the Ashes.
Green, however, is certain that he can bat at first drop because fellow all-rounder Beau Webster is also in the Test squad.
“Shane Watson used to open the batting and bowl,” Green said. “People probably don’t realise how tough that was. Spending so long in the field bowling, and then expected to go out there and bat the last 10 overs of the day for example, is really challenging.
“But I think I’m in a bit of a different place. Let’s say I’m batting up the top, and Beau’s batting six, for example – he might take more of the [bowling] load.”