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Former Australian cricketer Bryce McGain believes the pressures off Cameron Green as he settles into his new role in the Australian test batting lineup.
Last week Cricket Australia confirmed the West Australian all-rounder would return to the playing 11 against the West Indies after spending time on the bench during the Pakistan series.
With Steve Smith promoted up the order to open, Green will replace him at number four, a position he has thrived in at Sheffield Shield level.
McGain told Sports Breakfast the selectors have enabled him to play in the best position to succeed, despite him having opening on his mind.
“The experience around him will frame it in terms of, we're enabling you and it's a great chance to just go and perform, enjoy your cricket - it takes the pressure off him,” he said.
“He doesn't have to accelerate, which I think at times he felt some pressure and even mentioned that getting in behind Travis Head, who makes the game look easy at times.
“At four, he can just play his tempo; he can read the game. We know he's got incredible powers of concentration, so it gets him a chance to use his best skills and sum up the game and build big totals.”
Despite batting up the order, McGain still sees Green as a “genuine option” to bowl, but in a slightly different role.
“I hope they do get to use him as an impact bowler because I think that's the best method in which they can use it, not to just bowl bumpers - That's not his best bowling,” he said.
“Allow him to keep the ball up, attack the top of off stump because his height, he's just very different. He can bowl a length that'll have the extra bounce where Pat Cummins is probably a bit more skiddy.
“You know, it gives a great string to all the bow of what they're capable of doing. I really hope he does get enough overs to have an impact because he's highly, highly talented.”
Fellow WA All-rounder Mitch Marsh impressed against Pakistan scoring 344 runs across 5 innings at an average of 86 runs.
Marsh will feature again against the West Indies and will hope to repeat his career-best form.
McGain says Marsh’s addition to the side has benefited the overall lineup, acting as an enabler for them to score runs.
“I think we've got the perfect number six now and that's enabling those around him,” said McGain.
“Alex Carey has benefited in the series against Pakistan because of the fact that Mitch Marsh is there at six and Mitch Marsh is playing so aggressively and positively as soon as he gets to the crease.
“Mitch Marsh is playing so aggressively and positively as soon as he gets to the crease, that when Alex Carey comes in and they might be batting together...all he needs to do is just keep dropping ones and work the ball around,” he said.
“He's a better player when he's busy, so, the enabler of Mitch Marsh at six, it's great that he's making runs, but he's helping other players be better as well and helping them work into their game plan.”
IMAGE: Sky Sports UK