'It's irreversible': Cameron Green speaks out on his chronic kidney disease, says 'they're at 60%'

Cameron Green and his family have been open about the all-rounder's chronic kidney condition. Green revealed that he is in stage two of the condition, which has little influence on his daily life but might advance rapidly if not treated. During his mother, Bee Tracey's 19-week pregnancy scan, the problem was discovered. Medical personnel notified her of her son's "thinning of bladder," which indicated potential kidney development concerns. Initially, the family received alarming news concerning potential life expectancy issues, which caused genuine concern.

3 things you need to know 

• Cameron Green is out of playing XI against Pakistan in the 1st Test
• The Australia vs Pakistan Test series started this Thursday 
• Cameron Green has a chronic kidney disease

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Cameron Green and family explains his chronic kidney disease 

The 24-year-old batsman said that his kidneys are currently performing at 60% capacity during Australia's first Test against Pakistan in Perth. This new knowledge highlights the seriousness of his illness and emphasises the importance of continued medical care. 

“At the time it was uncharted territory as such, the prognosis wasn’t great," Green's father, Gary, told Channel 7. "There were life-expectancy issues that he might not expect to live past 12 years of age.”

“Chronic kidney disease is basically a progressive disease of your kidney’s health function. Unfortunately, mine doesn’t filter the blood as well as other kidneys,” Green told Channel 7. "With chronic kidney disease there’s five stages, with stage one being the least severe, and stage five being transplant or dialysis,” he said. Fortunately, I’m stage two, but if you don’t look after them enough, it easily goes back down. Kidneys can’t get better. It’s irreversible. So any way you can find to slow the progression, you basically try and do.”

Green expressed gratefulness for not suffering from substantial physical limitations as a result of the sickness. This is the first time he has discussed the disease publicly, to raise awareness and provide assistance to those facing similar challenges.  

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Cameron Green discusses the influence of disease on his cricket

With the exception of Australia's three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Cairns in September 2022, Green noted that the disease has not significantly hindered his cricket endeavours thus far.  Green added: 

“There was definitely one time up in Cairns, playing Australia versus New Zealand, I think it was pretty well documented that I had a pretty long day of bowling and a pretty long bat as well, and then had a cramping episode,” 

“It took me a long time to realise that it was probably my kidney function that was affecting my cramping. I always thought I didn’t drink enough, didn’t eat enough, didn’t look after myself during the game as well as I could have, but I think over time I realised that I was doing absolutely everything right, but I was still cramping, unfortunately,”

Green's Australian teammates and coaching staff were aware of his ailment, despite his efforts to keep it hidden from the public.