Former cricketer Ricky Ponting has said that Cameron Green remains one of Australia’s best long-term prospects in Tests, even though his returns at the highest level have drawn massive criticism over the past
month.
Green has endured an underwhelming Ashes series, with Australia already sealing the contest after the first three Tests. Across those games, he has managed just 76 runs and two wickets, having had limited chances with the ball.
Ponting admitted that while Green’s experience continues to grow, his overall impact in Tests remains tough to measure.
“It is actually quite hard to get a gauge on him yet as an international player. He averages under 30 in Australia now. His career averages just over 30. He has made two Test hundreds in 30-odd Tests,” Ponting said while speaking on The ICC Review.
“He (Green) has had back surgery and his bowling pace is probably not quite what it was 12 months ago,” Ponting added.
Since making his Test debut against India in Adelaide five years ago, Green has featured in 35 games, amassing 1,641 runs at an average just under 33 and contributing 37 wickets along the way.
“But there is a very complete package there if it all comes together. And we have seen him play some pretty remarkable innings. He made an incredible 100 in New Zealand last year,” Ponting said.
“He (Green) has got 100 in India as well, albeit on a very, very flat pitch,” the former Australian cricketer added.
Green registered his maiden Test hundred in Ahmedabad, scoring 114 in a challenging situation against India. His best performance came a year later, in March 2024, when he blasted an unbeaten 174* in Wellington, steering Australia to a commanding 172-run victory.
“Talking to the players, talking to the coaching staff, they absolutely love what he brings to the group. The biggest challenge he has is, he has just got to find out the right way and right style for him to play, work out what is going to work for him and then commit to that and stick to it for a long period of time,” Ponting said.
