Green under fire as Australia’s batting frailties laid bare at MCG
The MCG venue sparked controversy on day two but Australia’s batting is under equal scrutiny; Former Test batsman Simon Katich has described Cameron Green’s latest dismissal as “predetermined nonsense”.
Australia were bowled out for 152 and 132 at 2pm AEDT on the second day of the Boxing Day Test, losing 20 wickets in 79.5 overs. Not since 1928, against England in Brisbane, have Australia been twice unbeaten by fewer overs in a Test.
Failing to build on their advantage, the home team fell to 3-34 after a brief surge of 7-143 under Green and Steve Smith. But Green’s dismissal for 17 (he has failed to score more than 45 in six innings in this series) triggered a 3-9 collapse and left the door open for England to chase their first Test victory in Australia since 2011.
Green’s place in the XI is under intense scrutiny and the pressure will intensify following another poor return and dismissal in which he lunged forward with a wide and short throw from Ben Stokes rather than playing the ball to his advantage.
“This is predetermined nonsense,” Katich said on Channel Seven. “Watch the ball and instinctively play out of bounds.
“I know what they’re trying to do, they’re trying to keep the bowler that far away, but you make a decision without even knowing what length the ball is being thrown to.”
Cameron Green at the MCG on Saturday. Credit: Getty Images
Beau Webster is gaining momentum for a Test recall given Green’s tally of 109 runs at 21.8 in this series.
“I feel bad for him,” Kayo Sports commentator David Warner said of Green. “He’s been up and down like a yo-yo trying to find his place and letting other people in. I think he’s definitely got a game to play in that. Long term, he’s probably number four.”
