19-04-2025
Cameron Green in startling County scenes as Marnus Labuschagne handed Test blow
Cameron Green has made a statement upon his cricket return having scored a century in the second division of County cricket as Marnus Labuschagne's position in the Test team comes under more pressure. Green missed the 3-1 India series victory after going down injured with a troublesome back problem ahead of the summer.
The allrounder has struggled with his back throughout his career and underwent surgery on his lower spine. Green was expected to miss six months of action, before recovering to prepare for the Ashes this November. The 25-year-old did make a a public appearance at the Allan Border Medal, but was unable to find fitness for the end of the Sheffield Shield season.
Although time away from the pitch has not impacted his form with Green returning to County cricket for Gloucestershire in the second division and recorded 100 not out, before retiring injured due to cramps. While it appears the retirement was due to a lack of match fitness, as Green struggled to run between the wickets, the allrounder was thrilled to be finding his feet again on the pitch after months away from the game.
"One hundred per cent I'm proud," he said after the century, which saw him become the 10th player to score a first-class hundred on debut for Gloucestershire. "It's been eight long months on the sidelines so to get back out here was very special and it's always a good way to start your tenure."
And Green's century comes with a warning to teammate Labuschagne ahead of the Test Championship Final. The Queenslander has been hanging on to his Test position after struggling for runs across the last two years. While Green hasn't played much cricket, he was among is a number of candidates in line to replace Labuschagne if Aussie selectors decide to axe the struggling No.3.
Labuschagne only averaged 25.36 with the bat across the summer after a largely disappointing series against India and then again in Sri Lanka. That came after an equally disappointing previous year for Labuschagne, where he averaged just 27.08 across the summer of 2023/24.
And despite returning to the Sheffield Shield to find form, the batter didn't light up the competition. Labuschagne scored 23, 0 and 61 in his three innings as Queensland went down to South Australia in the final. With Green's immediate form back over in English conditions, calls will once again grow for him to come in and replace Labuchagne for the Test Championship Final against South Africa.
Pretty extraordinary for Cameron Green. Score a hundred on county debut for @Gloscricket whilst seemingly cramping up, get there with a sprinted single and have to retire hurt.#bbccricket
— Ed Seabourne (@edcricket6) April 18, 2025
Despite his return, Labucschagne appears set to retain his position with it unlikely selectors will unsettle the order in the one-off test match. Regardless, Labuschagne will be keeping a close eye on Green's results with the 25-year-old already making it hard to leave him out of the team.
The Australian came to the crease for the first time in eight months with his team reeling at reeling at 3-41 against Kent. Fellow Aussie Cameron Bancroft had already been dismissed for two runs. But Green came to the crease and looked confident from the outset as he made a statement only months out from test selection.
Green's arrival at Gloucestershire came about in mysterious circumstances. He signed a five-match deal to play thanks to a "significant donation" from one of the English club's members. Cricket Australia (CA) may not want Green to play in five-straight county games before the WTC final though, considering he hadn't played a competitive match in eight months before his century. Retiring due to cramp could also see CA call for the allrounder to take it easy if they want to select him.
If Green were to force his way back into Australia's Test XI, it would likely be at No.3 for Labuschagne or at No.6 for all-rounder Beau Webster. The latter would be very harsh on Webster after his impressive Test debut in the series-clinching fifth match against India at the SCG. The towering all-rounder didn't get much of an opportunity to impress in Sri Lanka but his quality in the field is also another massive notch on his belt.
