Australia Look to Trial Cameron Green as Maxwell's Long-Term Replacement During Pakistan ODIs

Australia are hoping to use Cameron Green in Glenn Maxwell's finisher role as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Maxwell, who retired from ODI cricket in June last year, had been a reliable option down the order, also contributing handy off-spin. 

Can Green resolve Australia’s issues in Maxwell’s absence?

With him gone, Australia are on the lookout for a long-term replacement, a role they plan to experiment with Green in.

"I think he's got the ability to play high up the order and low," Australia's Head Coach Andrew McDonald told reporters prior to the squad's departure for Pakistan.

"He does have some power, and we saw that in that top-end series last year against South Africa, his ability to finish off that innings, and with the absence of Glenn Maxwell, we had that conversation."

McDonald isn’t ‘experimenting’

McDonald, however, does not believe in labelling the process as an experiment. He said the option would be open for Green the same way it would be for the rest of the players. Green's ability to take wickets and share the bowling load makes him a particularly appealing prospect.

"The team that we are, we keep these things open. Experiment is not the right word, but we'll look at different ways to play in the journey to the 2027 World Cup and where he fits exactly in that. We've got some options there because of his range of skills, but definitely the bowling is a big part of that," he stated.

Green is an enticing package

Injuries and form concerns have followed Cameron Green consistently of late. He missed the 2025 Champions Trophy while nursing a back injury. He was sold for the highest price in this IPL season, with Kolkata Knight Riders roping him in for INR 252 million.

Green had a tough start to the tournament, though his numbers improved in the latter stages. In total, he scored 322 runs in 14 IPL matches at an average of 32.20 while taking seven wickets.

For McDonald, the complete package Green brings is reason enough to build him into the side's long-term plans.

"He had a challenging summer," McDonald said. "He didn't perform to the level that he wanted to. I think people don't appreciate the sum of all the parts that he brings as well."

"We want him to average more with the bat. He wants to average more with the bat. But his fielding, his bowling, the package that he is, we feel he will come good. It's just a matter of, okay, how we balance out the three formats as well," he added.

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