In the inaugural Test match in Wellington, Cameron Green showcased his batting prowess by scoring his second Test century, propelling Australia to a total of 279-9 by the end of the day’s play.
Facing a challenging situation at 89-4 after being asked to bat first at the Basin Reserve, Green orchestrated a remarkable recovery alongside Mitchell Marsh, who contributed with a solid 40 runs.
Green, aged 24, reached the century mark with his 16th boundary in the final over, remaining unbeaten on 103 while Josh Hazlewood remained at the crease without scoring.
Expressing his satisfaction with the innings, Green remarked, “It feels really good, especially considering the position we were in as a team. The pitch was quite tough, and someone needed to hold the innings together. I’m glad I could do that and put a respectable total on the board.”
Batting at number four, Green staged a comeback after New Zealand’s Matt Henry claimed crucial wickets, dismissing Steve Smith (31), Usman Khawaja (33), and Marsh (5), finishing with figures of 4-43 on a pitch offering assistance to seam bowlers.
Despite the challenges posed by the New Zealand bowlers, Green emphasized the potential for Australia’s quick bowlers to exploit the conditions on the following day. “It’s a close contest, but I believe they have the upper hand at the moment. Tomorrow will be crucial, and we have to bowl exceptionally well,” he added.
Marsh praised Green’s composed innings, stating, “We’re all very proud of him. He looked calm from the beginning and played a fantastic innings to revive our chances in the game.”
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Tim Southee and the New Zealand pace attack found initial success with the wickets of Smith and Khawaja. However, Henry’s breakthroughs were instrumental in pegging back the Australian innings.
As the match poised delicately, New Zealand’s ambition for a Test victory against Australia, a feat not achieved since 2011, remains alive, especially after their recent series win against South Africa. The outcome of the match hangs in the balance as both teams gear up for an intense battle on the upcoming day of play.
Leave a Reply