Cameron Green has made a compelling statement in his quest for a recall to Austalia’s Test team with a scintillating Sheffield Shield innings of 96 for Western Australia.
Coming in at No.4, the 24-year-old allrounder struck 15 boundaries, plus a six off Queensland spinner Mitchell Swepson, in an innings that was all class at the Gabba.
Green decided to sit out the BBL season to focus on red-ball cricket and in attempt to win back the national team place he lost to state teammate Mitchell Marsh for this year’s Ashes tour.
He could not have made a stronger case for reinstatement in a 170-run partnership with centurion Hilton Cartwright (132) that took Western Australia from a precarious 3-29 to 330 all out at stumps on day three, in response to the Bulls’ first innings of 8d-274.
Green’s cover and straight driving was of the highest standard and it came as a surprise when he was well caught by Michael Neser in the gully just after tea.
Even if Green does not displace Marsh for December’s first Test against Pakistan in Perth, Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey indicated on SEN Radio this week there could be an option to play Marsh alongside Green once David Warner retires after the New Year’s Test in Sydney.
The widely accepted view was that one of Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw or Marcus Harris would replace Warner, but Bailey suggested Marnus Labuschagne could be moved up to open.
That could pave the way for Green and Marsh to bat in the same order.
Bancroft, bowled by Jack Wildermuth for seven, was unable to add to his impressive season’s haul when he was out early on day three in Brisbane.
Cameron Green plays a shot during the Sheffield Shield match at The Gabba. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Cartwright was in great touch for his eighth first-class century and unleashed after negotiating some quality seam bowling.
The 31-year-old displayed the poise and shot-making ability that led to him playing two Tests for Australia in 2017.
Mark Steketee (4-50) and Gurinder Sandhu (5-77) collected the bulk of the wickets for Queensland.
With one day remaining the match is likely to end in a draw, but after taking a 56-run first-innings lead Western Australia are a chance of making it interesting if they can snare early wickets on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sheffield Shield strugglers NSW have stunned ladder-leaders Tasmania to secure a second win of the season as 24 wickets fell in a day at the SCG.
The Blues, who only recently ended an agonising 15-game winless Shield run, skittled the Tigers for a measly 68 in 23 overs as the visitors fell 74 short of the victory target.
Tasmania crumbled on a tricky batting pitch on Thursday as NSW quick Chris Tremain ran riot with figures of 6-31 after picking up three wickets in the first innings.
Former Tigers quick Jackson Bird, who returned to NSW ahead of this season, was also destructive with 4-22. NSW’s unlikely win comes barely a week after Tasmania smashed the Blues by an innings and one run in Hobart.
The Tigers travelled to Sydney on top of the table with three wins and two draws from their opening five matches of the season.
This match moved at a rapid pace, ending well before stumps on day three despite there being multiple rain delays.
“I can’t remember the start of the day, it feels like three days ago,” Tremain said. “It was a fun game; if you ask the batsmen, probably not.
“Cricket in fast forward is always good to watch.”
NSW were cruising during their second innings on Thursday, moving to 3-99 before Tigers quicks Gabe Bell and Lawrence Neil-Smith got to work.
The Blues lost 7-19 during a dramatic collapse, setting the visitors a chase of 143. But Tasmania never looked a chance of getting to the total, stumbling to 3-12, then completely capitulating once Jake Doran (29) and opener Tim Ward (16) were dismissed following a gutsy stand.
Tasmania began the day at 6-166 in their first innings but were quickly all out for 200.
“It was an interesting game and I don’t think I’ve been a part of a game quite like it,” Tasmania captain Jordan Silk said. “Obviously pretty challenging conditions to bat in, but full credit goes to NSW … they were too good for us.”
The highlight of the day was NSW allrounder Jason Sangha flying off the ground in the slips to pull off a classic catch to dismiss Jake Doran (43) off Tremain’s bowling in the Tigers’ first innings.
Tasmania pacer Lawrence Neil-Smith was the forgotten hero after snaring his maiden first-class 10-wicket match haul (10-104), adding three wickets to his first-innings figures of 7-58.
At the Adelaide Oval, three late blows from Fergus O’Neill has Victoria on the verge of an important Sheffield Shield victory over South Australia.
The Redbacks slumped to 3-49 at stumps on day three in pursuit of Victoria’s target of 258.
After taking 5-28 in South Australia’s first innings, O’Neill stepped up again to continue his breakout season.
The bustling quick dismissed Redbacks openers Henry Hunt and Jake Carder, as well as captain Jake Lehmann, to have the hosts reeling at 3-29.
Nathan McSweeney (14no) and Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey (11no) were able to guide South Australia to stumps and give them an outside chance of victory on Friday.
Earlier, one-Test batter Will Pucovski carved out his best score of the Shield season with a patient 65 in Victoria’s second innings total of 231.
After having a 26-run first-innings lead, Victoria recovered from a disastrous start at 3-27 to grind their way towards a competitive total.
Campbell Kellaway (46) and Peter Handscomb (44) both made valuable contributions in the middle order to frustrate the Redbacks.
SA pacer Wes Agar finished with match figures of 8-97 after adding to his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Nathan McAndrew was also dangerous for the Redbacks, claiming 4-50.
The result will be a crucial one as the match is the last for two months due to the upcoming start of the Big Bash League.
ColinT
Roar Rookie
If Green is to be selected, then he should play at four, not at six. Putting him down the order is counterproductive to his development IMO.
Shire
Roar Rookie
Davies has impressed in every innings so far barring the second against Tasmania, and that was playing with a fractured finger on a day where nobody made runs, so he's excused. Otherwise, it's 129, 67, 62 and 81* at an S/R of 80+. A very exciting young player with a bright future ahead of him.
JohnB
Roar Rookie
Good luck to Green (and Cartwright) but it should be pointed out that yesterday was fine and hot, after being hot, steamy and very overcast all the previous day (which should be remembered when looking at Richardson's figues, encouraging though it is to see him back playing FC). Once the day got on a bit yesterday it would have been much better for batting than it had been, and the scorecard is consistent with that. A bit of a shame that WA weren't a bit more aggressive in trying to win the game, rather than making defeat very very unlikely. Their prerogative of course, but declare 50 behind (instead of batting on to be bowled out 50 ahead) and Qld, who really need to win, would have had to give themselves a couple of sessions to try to bowl WA out, meaning they had only until lunch today to try to set a target. With only a day to play and having to overcome the first innings deficit, there isn't time for them to do that after WA didn't declare. That leaves WA's only chance being to bowl Qld out cheaply - conditions today are much like yesterday, so it will be a good effort if they can manage it.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
NSW beats the half NSW team this time, well done.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I hope Marsh succeeds, which he may well do against Pakistan and Windies. But it’s hard to be confident just yet about him being a longer term prospect at Test level. But there’s no reason to think Green should open, especially if he’s still bowling. He’s hardly ever batted higher than 5.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Not everyone is on board with Labuschagne opening. Number three is a specialist position. Maybe the toughest position in the batting order. An early wicket falls from one of the openers, and a capable number three is there to avoid a top order collapse.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
“why mess with something that’s not broken?” I tend to agree with this. I do not totally dislike the idea like I dislike the ideas of Head or Marsh opening, but why risk it.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I think Green has both the technique and temperament to be a very successful opener, but can't see that happening as long as CA keeps going with its misguided attempts to make him into something he's not - a genuine all rounder. As for Marnus opening the batting, why mess with something that's not broken? Australia has the strongest batting lineup in Test cricket, yet we want to play around with it, even though it's working and working well? I get that idea is popular, but that doesn't make it a good one.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
If Green keeps performing for WA/Australia A, and Marsh keeps performing in the test side, the temptation would be pretty great to shoehorn Green into the test side somewhere and that would require either Green opening or some reshuffling of the batting order. My preference if all that happens would be for Labuschagne to stay where he is and for Green to open, but the idea of Labuschagne opening is pretty popular on this site.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I don't know why selectors want to muck around with players in the batting order. In the past day or so, Ricky Ponting, one of the best number 3's Australia's had, came out and said first drop was a specialist role. Given the success he had batting 3, I kinda think he knows what he's talking about. I;d have thought making this sort of change is a desperation move, ie there are no good alternatives who could open the batting. Bancroft & Renshaw could easily slot in alongside Usman, so I'd be trying them first and if they don't cut it, then consider shifting Marnus
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
In a round where ball has dominated bat, it was great to see Green and Puckovski in particular amongst the runs. Clearly the pitch in Sydney was way too bowler friendly, which makes that 80 odd not out by Ollie Davies even more impressive. Hopefully the PM's XI game against Pakistan lasts the full 4 days and isn't rain affected. I'm sure there's a few blokes very keen to do well, especially Harris, Renshaw and Bancroft
badmanners
Roar Rookie
24 wickets in a day say's that conditions depreciated markedly. If we had hot dry weather the cracks would have swallowed not only Tony Greigs car keys but the car as well. The SCG pitch needs an overhaul.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Also good to see Richardson get a neat fourfer and a brisk 30 or so.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
NSW had bowlers that were better able to exploit the conditions. Tremain is in blistering form and Bird is going well too.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
It would be great to see Tremain play test cricket. It feels like he has been among the best performing bowlers for 10 years. If there are a couple of injuries he might get his chance. O’Neill is having an incredible season. He is one to keep an eye on. There is an Australia A game in a few days. If Green outscores Renshaw, Bancroft, and Harris, do the selectors ask him to open for test squad, or bat at three with Labuschagne to open? Pretty great round of Shield cricket. Bottom beats top, and then the four teams in middle in two really tight contests. It is a shame that so much time was lost to rain in Brisbane.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Some serious cracks in that SCG pitch outside the right handers off stump. Add a bit of humidity and it was a bit of a crap shoot. Not sure the Blues can take anything other than the points from that match. Maybe Ollie getting another 50.