Ponting Assesses Cameron Green's Test Career Trajectory Amidst Ashes Struggles

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has weighed in on the current standing of all-rounder Cameron Green within the national Test setup, particularly in light of his underwhelming performance during the ongoing Ashes series. Despite Australia securing the series after the first three Tests, Green has contributed just 76 runs and claimed two wickets, receiving limited opportunities with the ball.

Ponting acknowledges the difficulty in comprehensively evaluating Green's impact at the international level despite his accumulating experience. He points to Green's batting average of under 30 in Australia, marginally above 30 overall, and the two Test centuries he has scored in over 30 matches as points of consideration. Ponting also notes the impact of Green's past back surgery, suggesting it may have affected his bowling pace.

Since his Test debut against India five years ago, Green has participated in 35 Tests, amassing 1641 runs at an average of nearly 33 and taking 37 wickets. His standout performances include a century (114) against India in Ahmedabad and an unbeaten 174 in Wellington against New Zealand in March 2024, which led Australia to a 172-run victory.

Beyond these individual highlights, Ponting emphasizes Green's value within the Australian dressing room, while pinpointing consistency as a crucial area for improvement. He suggests that Green's tendency to overthink his game and constantly seek adjustments might be hindering his progress. Ponting advises Green to simplify his approach, draw upon his domestic cricket successes, and trust his established game plan at the Test level.

Ponting also addressed the broader team dynamics, noting that the unwavering faith in Green has impacted other players, specifically mentioning Beau Webster. Webster, despite performing well in his limited opportunities, has found himself on the fringes of the squad. Ponting suggests that Webster's misfortune stemmed from challenging conditions during the West Indies tour and an injury that disrupted his preparation for the Australian summer. He speculates that selectors might consider Webster for the No. 7 position, potentially at the expense of Josh Inglis, to bolster the team's bowling options.

Despite these considerations, Ponting believes Australia will continue to invest in Green. He argues that the team has already committed significantly to his development and that exposing him to the highest level of competition is essential for him to reach his full potential. He concludes that the team appreciates the overall package Green offers and will persist in finding ways to maximize his contributions at the Test level. The fourth Ashes Test is scheduled to begin in Melbourne on December 26.

Editor’s note: This article was independently written by the Scoopliner Editorial Team using publicly available information.