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WA’s Cameron Green has made a compelling case to be at the top of the replacement-player list for Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign after his stunning first series as an opener reached record-breaking heights in India.
The powerful allrounder hit the fastest ever T20 half-century against India, getting there in just 19 balls on his way to 52 off 21 which included seven fours and three sixes.
It was also one ball off the quickest T20 by an Australian, jointly held by David Warner and Glenn Maxwell.
India chased down Australia’s total of 7-186, in which fellow West Aussie Tim David (54 off 27) also went past 50, in the penultimate ball of the match to win by six wickets and claim the series 2-1.
Green, who also did his job with the ball, conceding 14 runs from three overs, will need an injury to a current squad member to feature in the World Cup on home soil starting next month because he wasn’t selected in the original 15.
“If anything were to happen with someone in the (World Cup squad) 15, I think its obvious that we’ve got some good depth there,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald said.
The 23-year-old got the call up for the India tour with regular opener Warner rested and allrounders Mitch Marsh (ankle), Marcus Stoinis (side) and paceman Mitchell Starc (knee) sidelined.
He finished as the leading run-scorer of the series with 118 and had the best strike rate of any player with a blistering 214, despite being used in an unfamiliar role.
“He’s shown his class, and especially to bat at the top of the order in a position that he hasn’t done before,” Australian captain and Green’s opening partner Aaron Finch said.
“He hasn’t played much T20 to be honest, so the way that he took the game on and was ultra-aggressive from the start, I loved that about him and he had a good impact with the ball today as well.”
Australia take on West Indies on October 5 and 7 at Metricon Stadium and the Gabba respectively before three games against England from October 9-14, starting at Optus Stadium.
WA captain and last year’s T20 World Cup final hero Marsh is looking at returning for the Windies matches.
“The ankle is coming along pretty well,” Marsh said last week.
“It’s on the minor end of the scale but with the World Cup coming up, it’s the only opportunity to get it right.
“I’m certainly not worried about it, it’s coming along well and hopefully I’ll be right to play against the West Indies.
“I knew when I came home from Townsville that was going to be the case and I pushed for India but made the decision to get right for the West Indies series instead.”
Marsh backed WA teammate Green to fill a void should a player inside the squad be unavailable.
“He’s just going from strength to strength,” Marsh said at the WA Cricket season launch.
“I really hope he gets the chance to play a lot more white-ball cricket over the next few months, especially T20, it will be great for developing his game.
