Former Australian Test captain Kim Hughes has delivered a clear prescription for all-rounder Cameron Green as he battles a prolonged form slump with the bat: he simply needs more time in the middle. Hughes' comments come amid growing scrutiny over Green's place in the national side following a lean run that extended through the recent Ashes series in England.
The Root of the Problem: Lack of Time at the Crease
Hughes, who led Australia in 28 Tests, pinpointed a lack of consistent batting as the core issue for the 24-year-old. He argued that Green's role as a bowling all-rounder, combined with the stop-start nature of modern scheduling, has deprived him of the extended periods at the crease essential for building confidence and rhythm.
"He just needs time in the middle," Hughes stated emphatically. The legendary batsman contrasted Green's situation with past eras where players would return to grade cricket or extended first-class tours to find form. Hughes believes the current system, with its focus on short-format leagues and tightly managed workloads, is not conducive to a player like Green rediscovering his touch through sheer volume of batting.
A Crucial Domestic Season Ahead
The immediate solution, according to Hughes, lies in the upcoming Australian domestic season. He sees Green's participation for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield as non-negotiable. Hughes stressed that Green must play the longer form of the game for his state to accumulate the necessary overs and innings to work his way back into peak batting condition.
This domestic grind is viewed as the perfect platform for Green to bat without the intense pressure of the international spotlight, allowing him to refine his technique and rebuild his mental approach. Hughes' advice implicitly questions the wisdom of resting key Test players from first-class cricket, suggesting that for a young player in a rut, there is no substitute for match practice.
Backing Green's Class and Future
Despite the current struggles, Hughes expressed strong faith in Green's inherent talent and long-term future in the baggy green. He recalled Green's brilliant century against India at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium in March 2023 as proof of the high ceiling the young all-rounder possesses.
"He's a class player," Hughes affirmed, dismissing any notion that Green's technical foundations are flawed. The former skipper's analysis shifts the focus from a major overhaul to a simpler, more fundamental fix: granting Green the opportunity to bat, and bat often, in a competitive first-class environment.
As the Australian summer approaches, all eyes will be on Cameron Green's schedule and his output for Western Australia. The path to reclaiming his spot as a formidable Test match number six, as charted by one of the game's former leaders, is clear: spend more time in the middle.
