Chappell's advice for Green amid runs drought

One of Australia’s best ever No.4 batters has offered some timely advice to young gun Cameron Green.

Green, 24, is only two Tests into his new career as Australia’s No.4 after he was pushed up the order following the retirement of David Warner.

It has been a difficult start to his tenure. Green made a pair of ducks as the West Indies rolled the Aussies in Brisbane.

His batting has been largely underwhelming in 26 Tests overall so far, reaping an average of 32.54 but only one century.

The No.4 spot carries a lot more pressure than No.6 or even No.5, and all eyes will be on Green when the Aussies tour New Zealand later this month.

Cameron Green in action for the Prime Minister’s XI.

Greg Chappell – who is Australia’s third-highest men’s No.4 Test scorer ever, and considered to be one of the greatest batters of all-time – believes Green needs to be more active at the crease.

“I think he’s just got to free himself up a little bit,” Chappell told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“He had a very athletic stance and he was in really good position when the ball left the bowler’s hand.

“At the moment he’s a bit flat-footed and it just smacks to me of someone who’s trying to be a bit careful and not get out, and that doesn’t work.

“Everyone goes through that, and then you realise one day, ‘I’ve got to be looking for the scoring opportunities’, and then react appropriately to each delivery accordingly.

“You’ve only got to play one delivery at a time and there aren’t many bad ones, or not-so-good ones, at that level, so you have to make the most of them.”

Green is back in the Test team at No.4 – with Steve Smith elevated to opener – after losing his spot at No.6 to Mitchell Marsh twice in the past 12 months.

The young talent heads back to the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia this week in an effort to get some runs under his belt.

Australia’s first Test against New Zealand starts February 29 in Wellington.