Australia star Cameron Green has revealed he has chronic kidney disease and at one stage was warned he may not live beyond the age of 12.
Green was diagnosed with the condition at birth and has been managing the issue throughout his playing career, but had not spoken about it publicly until an interview with Channel 7 broadcast overnight, ahead of Australia's First Test against Pakistan.
"I'm still trying to learn as much as I can about it," Green said. "Basically, my kidneys don't work as well as other people's and don't filter the blood very well, so I have to keep my salt and protein quite low, which isn't ideal as a cricketer, but around games I can pick that protein intake back up. It's just about finding the best ways to look after me."
The all-rounder's father, Gary, said of his son's diagnosis: "At the time, it was uncharted territory, the prognosis wasn't great. There were life expectancy issues."
Green, who has played 55 times for his country across formats, says his kidneys operate at around 60 per cent of normal function. The 24-year-old recalled an incident during an ODI against New
Zealand last year in which he suffered severe cramping while batting and believes the condition was responsible.
"It took me a long time to realise that it was probably my kidney function that was affecting my cramping," he said. "I always thought I didn't drink enough, didn't eat enough during the game, but I think over time I realised that I was doing absolutely everything right, but was still cramping."
Green was this morning left out of the team to face Pakistan in Perth, with Mitchell Marsh continuing in the all-rounder slot. David Warner, set to retire at the end of the series, made a century at the top of the order to defy critics who have questioned why the 37-year-old is being afforded a farewell series.
