Cameron Green described as 'crazy talent' after tilting First Test Australia's way
Cameron Green has played a key role in the opening Test, guiding Australia into a commanding position with a stellar innings.
Australia holds a commanding position in the opening Test after a tumultuous day two in Galle.
Play was delayed by three hours to begin the day after wild weather had lashed Galle, resulting in a grandstand collapse under the intense wind and persistent rain. Luckily no one was in the stand as the temporary roof was ripped off.
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Once the action got underway, it was Usman Khawaja and then Cameron Green who put Sri Lanka to the sword as the Aussies chased down the host's first innings total.
Green was at his best with the bat in trying conditions as he helped Australia move into the lead before some late heavy hitting by skipper Pat Cummins took the tourists into a dominant position.
"Cameron Green is just a big sponge, learning about Test cricket at an exponential rate and on the most demanding stage possible," cricket writer Melinda Farrell tweeted. "Crazy talent."
Former Aussie keeper Brad Haddin was also impressed.
“Great knock from Cameron Green,” Haddin said in commentary after the all-rounder registered his fifth half-century.
“He’s just getting better and better with every innings. This one will be very special. It’s his fifth half-century, but it’s the way he’s gone about his work today.
“Under pressure, he’s taken the attack back to the Sri Lankan bowlers.
“We’re witnessing something special here with Cameron Green. Every Test innings he’s getting better and better. He understands what it takes to build an innings. It’s a very, very classy knock from Cameron Green.
“What I’ve liked about it as well is that it’s been planned. He’s used his feet really well, he’s had a plan to get off strike and put the pressure back on the Sri Lankan spinners and what that shows in someone so young is that they’re watching the game closely, they’ve learnt from the Pakistan series and he’s got a really clear game-plan on the way he wants to do things.”
Khawaja praised Green for handling the Sri Lankan spinners with aplomb after the two batsmen helped Australia to a 101-run first innings lead on a weather-hit day two of the opening Test.
Replying to Sri Lanka’s 212 all out on the opening day, the tourists reached 313 for eight when bad light stopped play in Galle.
Cummins, on 26, and Nathan Lyon, on eight, were batting at close of play after the tourists dominated the two sessions on a turning pitch.
The left-handed Khawaja made 71 before 23-year-old Green, who top-scored with 77, was involved in an attacking stand of 84 with wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey (45).
“He (Green) batted beautifully,” said Khawaja.
“(It) took a lot of courage the way he batted. He came out and played a sweep shot straight away. That’s not easy.
“That wicket is extremely tough, it’s one of the toughest I have played on.”
Khawaja, 35 and a veteran of 49 Tests, said Green’s game is “well beyond where a lot of us were on the sub-continent at 23”.
Recap the days action below.
