“He calls it his 22 yards out there that he’s got to own,” Spencer Green’s father, Simon, said as his son ran through the India Under-19 batters to claim a seven-wicket haul during the second multi-day Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.
The Australian leg-spinner finished with 7/110, registering the second-best figures by a bowler from his country in Youth Tests.
Spencer was particularly impressive with his attacking lines, challenging the batters on both edges while also getting the ball to drift. He bowled 28 overs in the innings and was as aggressive on the last ball of his spell as he was with the first.
Simon said the spell was a reward for the hard work Spencer has put in over the years.
Spencer Green’s family was there at the Narendra Modi Stadium cheering him on.
| Photo Credit:
Sahil Mathur
Spencer Green’s family was there at the Narendra Modi Stadium cheering him on.
| Photo Credit:
Sahil Mathur
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Born and brought up in Brisbane, Spencer used to tag along with his elder brother and watch him play, where he developed his love for the game. He then joined the Toombul District Cricket Club when he was six. “Spencer grew up watching the Big Bash League. He always loved watching Swepo (Mitchell Swepson) bowl,” Simon told Sportstar.
“He always had a bit of a natural leg-spinning action with how he used to bowl when he was younger. It used to come out like that. It’s a hard act, leg-spin, isn’t it? So, he’s worked really hard at it,” he added.
For nearly six years, Spencer has been working on his bowling with John Davison, who has also coached Nathan Lyon and Swepson. Davison is currently the head coach of the Italian cricket team. “He used to be the Australian spin-bowling coach. So, he does a lot of work with Davo as the spin-bowling coach,” Simon added.
Alongside his early strides in cricket, Spencer also knows the importance of education. Mathematics comes easily to him, and he already has a conditional offer from Bond University on the Gold Coast to study actuarial science. “He’s really keen to get into that field, but not necessarily get into the finance business; more get into sports stats and sports revenue,” Simon said.
Currently in Year 12, Spencer will fly back to Brisbane once this series gets over on October 8, with his final exams due a week later. “Hopefully he’s getting some study done here,” Simon said lightheartedly.
Simon hopes Spencer sustains his love for the game and believes that, as long as he keeps working hard, he will continue playing cricket. “But if he doesn’t love it and he doesn’t work hard at it, he’ll probably stop playing the game. I doubt he will,” Simon said.
Apart from getting into university next year, the 18-year-old will also be focused on making the U-19 World Cup in early 2028.
“He’s not too concerned about where he gets to. He’s more concerned about doing his job out there. He calls it his 22 yards out there that he’s got to own. So, that’s what he’s worried about. He’s just working hard out there,” Simon concluded.
Published on Oct 06, 2026
