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Scott Bailey

Bevan sees Green in role as great finisher

Cameron Green (l) put New Zealand to the sword with a nerveless 89 not out in a September ODI. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Michael Bevan has anointed Cameron Green as Australia's next potential great finisher, claiming he has all the makings to step up to the crucial role.

Australia's selectors have shown their hand by keeping Green in the middle order for the one-day series against England, resisting the urge to open with him following Aaron Finch's retirement.

The 23-year-old is starting to show his full potential with the bat, best exemplified when he helped Australia - from 5-44 - chase down New Zealand's 232 with an 89no in September's thrilling two-wicket ODI win.

Bevan is regarded as Australia's greatest-ever finisher in one-day cricket, with his final-ball four against West Indies in 1996 one of the most famous chases in the team's history.

No man batting outside the top three has made more unbeaten scores of 50 or higher in successful run-chases for Australia than the left-hander.

Some 25 times Bevan was not out at the end of a successful chase, passing the half-century mark on nine of those occasions.

Since Bevan's retirement in 2004, Michael Hussey first stepped up to the role before James Faulkner laid claim to the title for a brief period in 2014.

But in Green, Bevan sees a man who can make the end of one-day innings his own.

"I was at Cairns during the first ODI (against New Zealand) and really watched him play," Bevan told AAP.

"It seems like he's got a really good temperament. He really sticks to his knitting, plays his own game plan.

"He understands what he's good at and what he's not good at.

"He times an innings really well. He seems like a real natural, his mechanics are really good. He hits a really good, long ball.

"That's kind of his sweet spot at the end of the order because of his temperament and his talent."

The only area Bevan sees Green having to improve is in his strike-rotation, something the 52-year-old former international expects will come with more experience.

"It's become less important nowadays," Bevan said.

"But I suppose finding ways to score runs when the pressure's on and not absorbing too many balls to do it (is important).

"If and when he adds that piece to his game, and the rotational aspect and the dexterity to go all around the ground, he'll be one really tough player to get out."

Bevan said the tactical element of the chase is something that cannot be taught, and was something he was comfortable with from a young age.

"It tends to be a natural thing, where you feel comfortable with the pressure at the end," Bevan said.

"You can pace your innings at different times, and understand. There is a tactical element about it, which most of the time has to happen naturally."

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