• Home
  • Who Said What
  • As Long As I Stay Cameron Green On Battling The Silent Foe And Ashes Hope

"As Long As I Stay...": Cameron Green On Battling The 'Silent Foe' And Ashes Hope

Soumyajit Dutta

Cameron Green [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Cameron Green [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

Standing at an imposing 6ft 6in, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green cuts the figure of an athlete built for dominance. Yet beneath his towering frame lies a lifelong battle, a chronic kidney condition diagnosed at birth, with doctors once doubting he’d survive past 12. 

Now 25, Green has defied those odds, balancing elite cricket with meticulous health management. After a back injury sidelined him last October, he’s set for a critical County Championship stint with Gloucestershire, a stepping stone to reclaim his Test spot ahead of Australia’s World Test Championship final and the Ashes later this year.

Cameron Green Reflects On battling The 'Death Sentence'

Green’s kidney condition, which has no cure, demands relentless discipline. During the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, he collaborated with chefs to streamline his diet, sticking to four tailored meals. 

"I actually got helped out beautifully when I was in Bangalore [at the Indian Premier League], especially. I had a better idea about how I wanted to go about it and I got in contact with the head chef there and had a direct line. I basically called him up and had a spreadsheet of four meals. I think it was a spaghetti bolognese, regular chicken and rice, a poke bowl and maybe one more," Green told BBC.

"When you are on the road, it can be really hard to get kidney-friendly meals. I just make good decisions. As long as I stay on top of it, I should be fine." His approach reflects a maturity beyond his years, navigating cricket’s gruelling schedule while prioritizing long-term health.

Green's Ashes Ambitions & Test Cricket Comeback

Cameron Green’s County Championship appearances, solely as a batter, are part of a strategic build-up to the Ashes. 

"It’s working backwards from the Ashes. That is the plan. There is not a whole lot of cricket between July and the Ashes so they just thought 'give you an extra couple of months rest. There is no real rush to get back." he admits, acknowledging Australia’s cautious management of his workload. 

Despite losing his Test spot to Mitchell Marsh during the 2023 Ashes, Green remains undeterred. His unbeaten 174 against New Zealand in March 2023 showcased his potential, though competition for middle-order spots has intensified.

Perspective Amid Pressure

Green’s stats—averaging 36 with the bat and 35 with the ball—mirror Ben Stokes’ early career, yet Australian expectations for all-rounders remain sky-high. 

"The public expects you to average 40 with the bat and 30 with the ball to be considered elite," he notes. But for Green, gratitude trumps hype. "I’m grateful for every chance I get… You’ve got to stay present," added Green.

As Green gears up for Gloucestershire’s clash against Kent, Green’s journey reflects resilience from every angle, both on and off the field.