Cameron Green could be the next Jacques Kallis: Nathan Lyon makes bold claim about young all-rounder

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has heaped massive praise on young all-rounder Cameron Green, saying he could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket. Australia is currently facing the West Indies in the second and final Test of their series at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Australia will starts Day 4 at 60 for 2 with Green and Steve Smith in the middle, needing 156 more runs to win the game after bowling the visitors out for 193 on Day 3.

Speaking to reporters after Day 3, as quoted by Perth Now, Lyon said Green gave him a lot of headaches during their shield games, adding that he could become the next Kallis at number four.

“There is so much confidence in that change room around all the guys and not just Smithy batting at No.1 and Cameron at number four. I have had the challenge of bowling to Green in Shield cricket with him batting at No.4 and he has given me a lot of headaches. I actually enjoy seeing him bat at number four and I feel like he could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket at number four,” said Lyon.

Green, already a World Cup winner with Australia, has cemented his spot in the national team in all three formats. The 24-year-old has scored 1,106 runs in 26 Tests, 442 runs in 23 ODIs and 139 runs in eight T20Is for Australia, while claiming 53 wickets across formats.

Legendary South Africa all-rounder Kallis retired from international cricket in 2014, having amassed 25,534 runs and picking 577 wickets across formats.

Kallis remains South Africa's all-time leading run-scorer in both ODI and Test cricket. Kallis scored 13,289 runs in 165 Tests, while notching up 11,579 runs in the 50-over format.

Lyon went on to say that Smith’s numbers speak from themselves, insisting that no one is worried about his form. Smith is currently batting at 33 off 56 balls and will be crucial for Australia during their chase at the Gabba.

“I don't need to talk about Smithy; his numbers speak for themselves. There has been no-one worried about Smithy's form. We are talking about arguably the greatest player of the last decade and there is a lot of talk about his batting. I sit here and laugh because he is arguably the best problem solver I have ever played with,” Lyon added.

Australia will be looking to complete the clean-sweep over the West Indies, having won the first Test by 10 wickets in Adelaide.