KKR or Cricket Australia, who really controls Cameron Green’s workload? All details explained

Cameron Green is one of the most valuable young cricketers in the world. Standing at 6'6", the 26-year-old can hit long sixes, can bowl hit-the-deck pace and is an asset on the field. The Australian is a total package with a ceiling like only a few other players in the world.

This is why Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paid a whooping Rs 25.20 crore to get his services for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. However, they now realise that a big part of that package is missing.

Green cannot bowl in the early part of the IPL. Already struggling with injuries to three of their key fast bowlers, KKR would have needed Green to at least share the load with other untested pacers. However, as we saw in the franchise’s opening game against Mumbai Indians, captain Ajinkya Rahane could not give him the ball even if his other bowlers went for plenty.

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Why is Green not bowling?

Cricket Australia (CA) is managing Green’s workload. He has an injury-prone body and Cricket Australia do not want him to aggravate his back issues. However, KKR are well within their rights to feel disappointed. They have paid him an enormous amount of money for his all-round abilities only to find out that he is not actually an all-rounder.

Rahane said after the match that CA will have to be asked why Green is not bowling in the league. The Australian board has now replied that the franchise had already communicated of Green’s fitness concerns ahead of the tournament.

“Cameron has a lower back injury which is being managed but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period,” a CA spokesperson said. “Cameron is currently rebuilding his bowling loads in India with a view to return in around 10-12 days’ time.”

“KKR has been communicated with and is fully aware of this information,” CA added.

That has raised a big question. Who actually controls a player?

Green Destruction.jpg 💥 pic.twitter.com/Ks2EOoH2wQ

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 28, 2026

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KKR or CA, who controls Green’s workload?

If a player has a central contract with his cricket board, the board has full say over where the player can participate and how much load can the player take. Since Green is contracted by Cricket Australia, the board will have an overriding say on a player’s workload management.

Boards consistently monitor the fitness of their players and then inform franchises on how they can use those stars. This could include restricting bowling or totally denying the permission to bowl like in the case of Mitchell Marsh.

Since these boards have nurtured the talent, looked after them from a young age and also bore the costs of treating their injuries, they are well within their rights to have the final say.

And it is not just bigger boards like CA who take these tough decisions. Recently, Sri Lanka denied NOCs to their star players like Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara and Wanindu Hasaranga as they manage their injuries.

This does not apply to players like Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult who have given up their national contracts and decided to focus full time on franchise cricket.

So, in case of Green, IPL franchises will have to adhere to whatever plan CA gives them about their player. The franchises and the board can discuss and reach a middle ground but the final say for a contracted player always remains with the board.