Kerry O’Keeffe believes Cameron Green has batted out of position throughout his Test career so far.
The 24-year-old has batted at number six and seven for Australia, but never higher, despite slotting in at four for both Western Australia at First Class level and for the Prime Minister’s XI in the latest tour game against Pakistan.
O’Keeffe thinks Green is suited to batting number four or upwards due to his strong defence as well as his ability to drive through cover and straight.
As a result, he backs the call from Australian selectors to stick with Mitch Marsh in the position as a more attacking option.
“I'm probably going Mitch Marsh because I don't think Cameron Green is a six,” O’Keeffe told SEN.com.au.
“I think you have to be busy, you have to be flexible, you have to be able to bomb it over deep mid-wicket from the outset.
“Number six is a particular position, and Cameron Green is a four or upwards.
“His platform is laid by defence, getting into the right position and presenting the open face (of the bat).”
Green has made 1075 runs, including six 50s and one century, in 24 Test matches with an average of 33.59.
O’Keeffe suggests Marsh perfectly suits the middle-order position because he doesn’t take long to get going in his innings and can easily rescue Australia from a sticky situation with a counter-attacking mindset.
“Whereas Mitch Marsh is a danger from the outset,” O’Keeffe said.
“He takes things on the up. Cameron Green doesn't do that initially.
“So, at 4/100 you can bowl to Cameron Green, at 4/100 with Mitch Marsh batting at six there’s a counter-attack just around the corner.
“That’s why I'm going Mitch Marsh as much as I admire Cameron Green.”
Marsh showed off his counter-attacking ability in his first Test in four years in July when he smashed 118 runs from 118 balls in the third Ashes Test against England in Leeds.
Marsh came to the wicket at 4/85 and departed at 5/240 just 27.5 overs later.
The first Test between Australia and Pakistan begins on Thursday at 1:20pm (AEDT) and 10:20am (AWST). Listen to every ball LIVE on the SEN app.
