Former captain and ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has given a measured assessment of Cameron Greene’s place in Australian cricket, backing the all-rounder despite a subdued Ashes campaign so far.
Even as Australia won the first three Tests to clinch the Ashes series, Green endured an even series with bat and ball.
In those matches, the tall all-rounder scored only 76 runs and took two wickets, with limited opportunities with the ball.
Although Green has gained experience at international level, Ponting admitted that it is difficult to clearly define his overall impact in Test cricket at this stage of his career.
However, the former Australian captain insisted that Green’s rare skill set makes him a valuable asset.
“Put it all together there’s a complete package there. And we’ve seen him play some pretty remarkable innings,” Ponting said.
“He scored a tremendous century in New Zealand last year. He also scored a century in India, albeit on a much flatter pitch.”
Green scored his first Test century against India with 114 in Ahmedabad and produced his best effort in March 2024, scoring an unbeaten 174 in Wellington to lead Australia to a 172-run victory over New Zealand.
Beyond individual performances, Ponting highlighted Green’s importance within the Australian dressing room, while pointing to consistency as a key area for improvement.
“Talking to the players and the coaching staff, they absolutely love what he brings to the team,” Ponting noted.
“The biggest challenge for him is finding the right way and the right style to play, deciding what’s going to work and doing it long term.”
Ponting suggested that Green’s tendency to overthink his game sometimes hindered that process, offering simple advice.
“Obviously, he’s a very deep thinker and likes to tinker with a lot of things,” he said.
“If I had advice for him, it would be to keep things as simple as possible, take what he has done at domestic level in Test cricket and step back for a while.”
Ponting also highlighted the electoral dilemmas posed by Australia’s continued support for the Greens.
“Beau Webster has been the unluckiest player this whole Australian summer,” Ponting said.
“He didn’t make too many mistakes in the games he played. When he made his debut in Australia, he was very good. Then he went to the West Indies where conditions were very challenging for all the batsmen and he got out in two balls that were almost unplayable.”
Ponting said injuries and a lack of match rhythm could have worked against Webster, although he has impressed since his Test debut earlier this year.
The all-rounder has featured in seven Tests, scoring 381 runs with four half-centuries and taking eight wickets.
Despite the competition for places, Ponting believes Australia will continue to show patience with Green.
“I think they will continue to stick with him. They really like the package,” Ponting said.
“They’ve come a long way now with Cameron Green. He’s played 30-odd Tests and I think they’ll find a way to stick with him and get the best out of him.
“It’s about exposure at the highest level and finding a way to implement that in Test cricket is going to make him a better player.”
It is noteworthy that the hosts are currently leading the five-match Ashes Test series by 3-0. The fourth Ashes Test will begin on December 26 in Melbourne.