Cameron Green’s first Test masterclass shows he’s unlocked secret to big innings

On Thursday night, Cameron Green conceded that he was “trying to work out how the best to play with the tail”. Just 18 hours later, DANIEL CHERNY writes, it looks like he’s figured it out.

On Thursday night, Cameron Green conceded that he was “still trying to work out how the best to play with the tail”.

About 18 hours later, Green had combined with Josh Hazlewood to put on 116 for the 10th wicket in a record-breaking stand that swung the first Test dramatically in Australia’s favour.

Looks like he’d figured it out.

Having started day two at 9-279, the prospect that Australia would bat long enough that New Zealand would need to extend the first session by an extra half an hour to clean up the tourists seemed an entirely ridiculous notion.

But that’s just what happened.

Cameron Green celebrates reaching his century during the Test match against New Zealand. Picture: AFP

It was a partnership that crept from comedy value to nuisance to all-out torment for the Black Caps, who’d let the Aussies get to 383 despite at various stages being 4-89, 6-176 and 9-267.

By the time Hazlewood lobbed a chance to mid-off on 22m - providing NZ seamer Matt Henry with a fifth wicket - he and Green had posted the highest last-wicket stand in the 94-year history of Test cricket at the Basin Reserve, and surpassed Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath’s Gabba circus of 2004 for Australia’s top 10th-wicket offering in Tests against their Trans-Tasman foes.

And that was without the many runs turned down to allow Green the bulk of the strike.

Cameron Green's Test batting average is now higher than that of Keith Miller and Ben Stokes.https://t.co/ebUyyCmsa1

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) March 1, 2024

Initially there had been some amusing moments, like when umpires had to check if Hazlewood and Green should be penalised for a deliberate short run after both advancing down the wicket only to turn back early in the day.

The joke was soon very much on NZ though, for just when the hosts looked like they might be well-positioned for a breakthrough victory against the Aussies, the Black Caps were on the receiving end of what was Australia’s highest 10th-wicket partnership since Phillip Hughes and Ashton Agar famously joined forces at Trent Bridge in 2013.

Having worked through the gears on Thursday, Green swung lustily on Friday, taking advantage of the Basin’s intimate surrounds to finish with 23 fours and five sixes in a career-best 174 not out.

Cameron Green of Australia is struck by a delivery during day two of the First Test. Picture: Getty Images

Cameron Green leaves the field at the end of the innings for 174 not out. Picture: Getty Images

By innings’ end, the idea that Green didn’t deserve his spot in the side looked like folly of the highest order. His Test batting average was better than those of Ben Stokes and Keith Miller.

Almost nothing went right for NZ as the sun broke through the Wellington clouds. Edges from both Green and Hazlewood fell short of fielders, Tom Blundell spilled a regulation take to allow a bye and Scott Kuggeleijn sprayed for five wides.

Such was Australia’s control, Hazlewood slashed one to the cover boundary for four. This was big brother toying with little bro.

It was clear the ascendancy was with Australia. Even before the day’s play there had been doubts as to whether NZ had let their chance slip on Thursday after winning the toss and bowling.

“300 would be a good score for Australia having been sent in by Tim Southee,” former Test all-rounder Brendon Julian said on the Fox broadcast.

“They were ideal conditions for bowling on the first day … with a bit of breeze coming in off the water.”

Highest Test scores for Australia in New Zealand:

250 Doug Walters Christchurch 1977
247* Greg Chappell Wellington 1974
239 Adam Voges Wellington 2016
176 Greg Chappell Christchurch 1982
174* Cameron Green Wellington 2024
170 Joe Burns Christchurch 2016#NZvAUS

— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) March 1, 2024

Ex-Aussie Test skipper Michael Clarke had been even more definitive.

“Definitely Australia’s day,” Clarke said on Sky Sports Radio, querying the hosts’ approach.

“Green wicket. Sent into bat. It seamed and swung all day. If New Zealand get it right they bowl Australia out for 200, or 220 max.

“I thought they were too short, especially in that first two-hour period before lunch.

“Little rule we have when we’re playing, certainly at that level that if it looks good on TV, it’s generally a foot too short. When the batsman is playing and missing regularly it looks brilliant when you’re watching from the couch and you’re saying, ‘Oh how has he not nicked that’.

“But generally when you’re playing against good opposition that means you’re a foot short. You want them actually looking to drive the ball on a pitch like that while the ball is new.”

These are the types of things that keep happening when NZ comes up against Australia.

Originally published as Cameron Green’s first Test masterclass shows he’s unlocked secret to big innings