Cameron Green is focused on returning as a complete allrounder in the Ashes 2025 after recovering from back surgery. The Australian cricketer plans to bowl again while continuing at No.3, a move that could boost the team ahead of the first Test against England on November 21 in Perth.
The 26-year-old will return to Sheffield Shield this weekend for Western Australia, batting at number four in his first red-ball match in over 18 months. He will also bowl competitively for the first time since spinal-fusion surgery, with doctors restricting his workload to eight overs in the match against New South Wales at the WACA.
Cameron Green skipped the T20I series in New Zealand to focus on long-form preparation. He expects to play in the home ODI series against India later this month and could feature in three of Western Australia’s four pre-Ashes Shield matches.
“That’s been the plan the whole year,” Green told reporters. “That’s why it’s been such a slow build-up, so that you’re peaking by the time the Ashes comes around.”
Bowling Workload Could Change if Green Stays at No.3
Green admitted that his bowling role might reduce if he continues at first drop. He struggled early in the position, failing to score more than 15 in his first four innings. But he adapted quickly in the Caribbean, producing scores of 52, 26, 42, and 46 on difficult pitches.
Selectors plan to keep him at No.3 to maintain batting stability, especially if a new opener joins Usman Khawaja. Head coach Andrew McDonald also wants to “front-end” Green’s bowling spells, using him early so he stays fresh for batting.
“There have been guys who have done it,” Green said. “Shane Watson used to open the batting and bowl. People probably don’t realise how tough that was.
“Spending so long in the field bowling and then being expected to go out there and bat the last 10 overs of the day is really challenging.
“I’m in a bit of a different place (to Watson). Let’s say I’m batting up the top, and Beau’s batting six, for example, maybe he might take more of the (bowling) load.”
Recovery Plan and Long-Term Goals
Bowling again marks the final stage of Green’s carefully planned recovery from spinal-fusion surgery — a treatment many fast bowlers now choose for recurring back problems.
“It was just a really slow build up, there was no rushing,” Green said. “The beauty of the 12 months was that there was no really important cricket before then, so it just gave me a really good opportunity, a bit of a clean slate, to get that really right.
“If there was a World Cup six months post-surgery, you might try and rush back for that, but the beauty was that I had so much time to get it right.
“Hopefully the surgery … holds up really well. (Back injuries) are something you can’t really control. It’s just part of being a fast bowler.
“You can do everything right in the gym, action-wise, body-wise, restrictions-wise, and it still may happen. That’s the unfortunate thing of being a fast bowler.”
If Green stays fit and finds rhythm with the ball, Australia will gain a stronger balance for the Ashes. His allround skills could play a crucial role against England, strengthening both batting depth and bowling options.
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