Allrounder has turned to mindfulness techniques after admitting nerves have previously got the better of him when in sight of a maiden Test century
Mind and body in check for Green's Sri Lankan test
A brief scare over the state of his once-fragile back behind him, Cameron Green hopes meditation and mindfulness could help deliver him the maiden Test hundred he desperately craves.
The two-Test series against Sri Lanka is set to be one of the sternest tests of the prodigiously-talented allrounder’s short career, with Galle pitches to challenge both his batting technique against spin and the accuracy of his seam bowling.
There had been fears Green, whose early domestic career was stalled by a succession of back stress fractures, may have had another spinal setback in the weeks before joining Australia's ODI squad on the island.
"They thought there might have been a bit of heat or maybe a crack in my back. Luckily enough that wasn't the case," said Green, who was held back from bowling for the first two one-dayers before playing the final three in a new role at No.8.
"It basically forced me to have a bit more of an extended break from bowling. It kept me from bowling in the first couple of games but it's all good now.
"I wasn't too worried – I knew myself, I've been through a couple of stress fractures and I had a good feeling that it wasn't one.
"I'm 100 per cent on board with how they manage me. I just want to be on the park, so if they restrict me to 15 overs in a Test match innings, or five to seven overs in a one-day match, I'm completely fine with that because I know how frustrating it is when you don't play."
It is good news for an Australian Test side which is transformed by Green's ability to bat in the top six and then add a different dimension to their pace attack as its tallest member.
Having gone wicketless through four Tests in his debut series against India in 2020-21, the two-metre-tall giant became a force with steepling bounce on pace-friendly pitches during last summer's Ashes and then also made crucial breakthroughs on much flatter surfaces in Pakistan.
He took 16 wickets at 23.50 in those two series and will be required again in Sri Lanka where Australia will likely field two specialist spinners.
Green has also been striving for improvements to his batting, though his biggest gains might not have come in the practice nets.
Back at home in Perth the 23-year-old has had weekly sessions with Jan Cooper, the West Coast Eagles' AFLW wellbeing manager, to work on mindfulness techniques.
Such is his desire to reach a maiden Test century that Green admits the weight of expectation has gotten the better of him whenever he has gotten close.
Having been dismissed within 26 runs of a ton four times in his 18 Test innings, he jokes that trying to hit two sixes may be his best approach if he gets into the nineties against Sri Lanka.
Cooper has suggested a more thoughtful method, encouraging Green to meditate the night before a day's play or using calming breathing techniques while he is waiting to bat.
"It's just been awesome talking about meditation or different ways to prepare for a game and kind of calm me down," said Green.
"I find it tricky at times, (meditation) is definitely a tough skill to get into. But then when you start to get into the groove, you actually really enjoy it.
"On the night (of a game) if you can't sleep or you have too many thoughts in your mind, even when you’re next into bat, it's a good chance to do some breathing.
"There's a few different techniques that she's taught me so if I feel like I'm a bit overwhelmed, that's something I can do to calm myself down."
Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Test squad (provisional): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay. Standby players: Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Rasanjana.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. Standby players: Jon Holland, Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy
June 29 - July 3: First Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST
July 8-12: Second Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST
Sri Lanka v Australia Test matches will be screened live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports