"Opening would be a difficult one, but not something I would say no to"- Cameron Green willing to bat at any position for Australia in Tests
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green expressed his willingness to open the batting for the side in Tests should the need arise. Following David Warner's retirement earlier this year, veteran batter Steve Smith shifted from his customary No.4 position to opening the batting for Australia to play both all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh.
While Green benefited massively with a brilliant 174* in the opening game of Australia's last Test assignment in New Zealand, Smith has struggled at the top with an average of under 29 in eight innings.
With the marquee five-Test series against India at home coming up in November, the management is still pondering the ideal opening partner for Usman Khawaja.
In an interview with Wisden, Green feels Smith had earned the right to choose his position in the batting order while adding that he was ready to open if required.
"You always want to put your hand up to play for Australia and I think opening would be a difficult one, but not something I would say no to. We'll have to see what the selectors decide to do, but at the same time I was open to do it six or nine months ago," said Green.
He added:
"We'll have to wait and see. I think it's totally up to Steve [Smith]. He's earned the right to bat where he wants to bat and whatever happens, I'm happy to move around him. He's a great of the game, and he's earned the right to bat where he wants to bat."
While Cameron Green has never opened the batting for Australia in Tests, he has performed the role several times in T20Is.
"I've done it a couple of times for Australia in T20 cricket. I think I bowled the 20th over in India and then had to open the batting, which was a pretty tough ask. That has to be a consideration. I know Shane Watson used to do it, and I'm not too sure if his overs went down when he decided to be an opener, but it's another discussion," Green mentioned.
Smith averages over 60 at No.3 and 4, having batted the majority of his Test career in those positions.
Meanwhile, Green has struggled in his time as the opener in T20Is, averaging only under 20 in seven innings.
"There are about three or four guys who want to bat at four" - Cameron Green
![Green has found success at No.4 in Tests [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/4a2d4-17270982849724-1920.jpg?w=500)
Cameron Green admitted that several batters in the current Australian line-up came up the ranks batting at No.3 or 4.
The 25-year-old has been incredibly successful since becoming the side's No.4 this year, averaging 53.60 in four matches.
"There are about three or four guys who want to bat at four, that's just the nature of international cricket. Everyone growing up bats at the three or four slot for their whole career. It's only when you get to Australia level that you think, 'gee Steve Smith is a pretty good No.4, and so is Travis Head, Marnus could do it'. I played in that position for the whole of my domestic career, so that's the unfortunate nature of it. You have to fit everyone in and not everyone can bat at four," said Green.
It remains to be seen whether Australia continue with Smith as the opener for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, starting in Perth on November 22.