Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted that, despite Green’s growing experience at the highest level, assessing his overall impact in Test cricket remains a challenge.
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Cameron Green’s Ashes campaign has been a subdued one, with the tall all-rounder struggling to make a decisive impact in a series Australia have already wrapped up after the first three Tests. Across those matches, Green has scored just 76 runs and claimed two wickets, having had limited opportunities with the ball.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted that, despite Green’s growing experience at the highest level, assessing his overall impact in Test cricket remains a challenge.
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“It’s actually quite hard to get a gauge on him yet as an international player,” Ponting told The ICC Review.
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“He averages under 30 in Australia now. His career averages just over 30. He’s made two Test match hundreds in 30-odd Test matches. He’s had back surgery, and his bowling pace is probably not quite what it was 12 months ago,” Ponting added.
Green has now featured in 35 Tests since making his debut against India in Adelaide five years ago. His numbers are respectable rather than outstanding, with 1641 runs at an average close to 33, alongside 37 wickets.
Still, Ponting stressed that Green’s all-round skill set continues to make him a valuable asset, pointing to flashes of brilliance that underline his potential in the Baggy Green.
“But there is a very complete package there if it all comes together. And we’ve seen him play some pretty remarkable innings,” Ponting said.
“He made an incredible 100 in New Zealand last year. He’s got 100 in India as well, albeit on a very, very flat pitch.”
Green registered his maiden Test century in Ahmedabad, scoring 114 in difficult circumstances against India, before producing his finest knock a year later, an unbeaten 174 in Wellington in March 2024 that powered Australia to a commanding 172-run victory.
Beyond individual performances, Ponting highlighted the value Green brings inside the Australian dressing room, while identifying consistency of method as the key area he must address.
“Talking to the players, talking to the coaching staff, they absolutely love what he brings to the group,” Ponting noted.
“The biggest challenge he has is, he’s just got to find out the right way and right style for him to play, work out what’s going to work for him, and then commit to that and stick to it for a long period of time.”
Ponting suggested that Green’s tendency to overthink his game may be holding him back, offering some simple advice.
“Apparently, he’s a very deep thinker about his own game and likes to tinker with things a lot,” Ponting said.
“But if I had some advice for him, it’d be just keep things as simple as you can, think about what you’ve done at domestic cricket and take your domestic game to the Test match and back it in for a while.”
Despite the ongoing debate, Ponting made it clear he expects Australia to remain patient with Green.
“I think they will persist with him. I think they like the package too much,” Ponting said.
“I think that they’ve almost come too far with Cameron Green now.
“Thirty-odd Test matches. I think they’ll stick with him and try to find a way to get the best out of him… I think it’s about him being exposed at the highest level and finding a way to make it work at Test level that’s going to make him a better player,” he added.
The fourth Ashes Test gets underway in Melbourne on December 26.
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