Answer to Aussie cricket’s biggest headache

Aussie great white hope Cameron Green has never looked more like the real deal.

Considered a potential test bolter at the start of the summer, test legend Ricky Ponting publicly called for Green to be fast-tracked into the Aussie test system, despite the Western Australian talent nursing a back injury that has kept him from bowling this summer.

Green is showing why Ponting and fellow test great Ryan Harris have touted him as the answer to Australia’s great all-rounder headache.

The Warriors star is banging down the test selection door with the bat alone this summer — making him a salivating option for selectors whenever he’s able to return to bowling.

Green on Monday chalked up his third hundred of the 2019-20 Shield season — the only batsman to do so.

He continued to put the Tasmanian attack to the sword on Tuesday as he carved his way to an unbeaten 159 as Western Australia recovered to be all out for 371 on day two at Bellerive Oval.

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Green, who came to the crease with WA wobbling at 3-43, was assured in defence and picked up his scoring in the third session of day one.

He continued to press the attack on day two before finishing not out on 171 from 283 balls.

It was the No. 5 batsman’s highest first class score and takes him to an impressive 617 runs for WA this season, the second most, at an average of 77.12.

Cameron Green is cashing in.Source:Getty Images

The third hundred puts Green’s breakthrough 2019-20 season in the top echelon of performances by Auccie cricket prodigies.

According to Fox Sports, he joins Sir Donald Bradman, Ponting, Steve Smith, Greg Chappell, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden and Phillip Hughes as players to have scored three Shield centuries before his 21st birthday.

Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Michael Hussey and Justin Langer are among those that never scored three hundreds before their 21st birthday.

“He’s definitely got a really good head on him for a 20-year-old guy,” teammate Josh Philippe said of Green.

“Especially to lose Shaun (Marsh) and Bangers (Cameron Bancroft) early, some of our really experienced players.

“For him to come out and be the rock of the innings, it was outstanding.”

Since the 2005 Ashes series, Australia has been searching for a response to Andrew Flintoff — Green may finally be that man.

Many all rounders have been trialled on the international stage — some performing more successfully than others — with Shane Watson, Mitch Marsh and Hilton Cartwright all awarded Test caps.

Green looks certain to be the next one.

Green bowls at speeds above 140km/h, but had been unable to roll the arm over since acquiring a stress fracture in his back two months ago.

However, with a first class bowling average of 21.53, including two five-wicket hauls in 13 matches, Green’s potential ceiling is limitless.

The two-metre-tall all-rounder has previously caught the eye of Ponting, Harris and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns.

Cameron Green rescued WA’s first innings.Source:Getty Images

Hohns said in December Green had been discussed at the highest level of selection meetings and may be brought into the environment sooner rather than later.

WA teammate Marcus Stoinis said recently he believes Green has the potential to be Australia’s greatest ever allrounder.

“I think he could be the best allrounder Australia has had,” Stoinis said.

“He’s batting beautifully. And with the ball, he’s a nightmare to face in the nets.

“He can bowl quick, he can swing it, he’s seven-foot tall. He’s got everything there to be a superstar. He’s got some swagger in him.”

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