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After missing the first two Tests against India due to finger injury, Cameron Green made a comeback in the third clash in Indore but couldn't make a mark despite Australia's nine-wicket victory. But what he did in the first innings of the ongoing fourth Test in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 10) did nothing but proved his prowess as a cricketer. Green’s maiden Test ton (114) in Ahmedabad brought back memories of what former Australia captain Kim Hughes saw of a 13-year-old Green in the nets.
Hughes feels that Green will be the world's best allrounder by a long way after his masterclass in Ahmedabad to steer Australia to a big total of 480.
"I've said for a number of years now that provided he keeps himself fit, he'll be the world's best allrounder by a long way. I've got absolutely no doubt about that," Hughes told the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Hughes, who has tracked Green's career ever since he was a teenager, also said,"His bowling action is so easy. And I don't mean a one-day allrounder. There are lots of blokes that can bat a bit and bowl a bit. But he will be good enough to bat in any side in the world. If he was just a batter he could bat at four and if he was just a bowler he could open the bowling."
Hughes also highlighted Green's backfoot play which he thinks the batter plays it well. “The thing with him is he's one of the few players in the world that can play well off the backfoot. That's the art of batting. Good bowlers don't bowl you half-volleys,” Hughes added.
"I've taught him the basics and he's got lovely balance. Because of so much white-ball cricket, most people, even in Test cricket, if you watch them side on, their first move is this half-step forward. Well, you're bugging. You can't play off the back foot," he further added.
Green's ability to learn quickly has also impressed Hughes. "He picks things up very, very quickly. And he was just a natural with his hand-eye coordination. There are some things when you're that good that you're born with, and he has got that God-given talent. But the other thing I like about him particularly is that he's a very humble person. Very respectful. He was a very good listener. And it's been great to see him carry on and take things in his stride,” the 69-year-old concluded.
Green hugged Khawaja, who stood like a rock and scored 180 to guide Australia to 480 in the first innings of the fourth Test, and later admitted that the latter’s guidance helped him end the century drought.
In the last 19 Test outings, Green had fallen between 74 and 84 five times. But he was in no mood to repeat the mistakes on the 20th occasion as he finally reach the three-digit-mark.
“You feel more like a Test cricketer when you’ve got that monkey off your back, so it is nice to tick that off in a way,” Green said after his stunning knock.
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