David Warner condemns Cameron Green for ‘ridiculous’ dismissal as Australia open door for England at Gabba

David Warner slammed Cameron Green after the all-rounder’s “ridiculous” batting triggered a flurry of wickets at the Gabba.

David Warner slammed former teammate Cameron Green after the all-rounder’s “ridiculous” batting triggered a flurry of wickets that kept a patchy England in the hunt at the Gabba.

Half-centuries from Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith had left Australia in a commanding position, only for Green to open the door for the tourists by backing away to a Brydon Carse yorker zeroed in on middle stump.

From 3-291 before Green’s dismissal for 45, Australia fell to 6-329. And it could have been even more dramatic for the Aussies given both Alex Carey and Josh Inglis were put down by Ben Duckett, Carse dropped a sitter to spare Michael Neser, and Carey had another reprieve when Joe Root missed a tough chance in the cordon.

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By stumps, Australia had staggered to 6-378, leading by 44.

Speaking on Kayo Sports, ex-Australian opener Warner, who played with Green across the early years of the West Australian’s international career, condemned the all-rounder for the manner of his dismissal, which had come after Australia was approaching parity.

”It’s baffling, you’re six-and-a-half foot tall, it’s ridiculous to keep moving around like that and playing white-ball style cricket,” Warner said.

“But when you’re so far away from your stumps, if he does (bowl) at the stumps you’re not going to be able to reach it, which was his downfall.

“Every single ball, if you showed the bowler back, anyone with half a brain would go at the stumps.”

Smith had been working nicely into his innings, reaching 50 for the 80th time in Test cricket only to be brilliantly caught by the recalled Will Jacks at deep backward square for 61.

Inglis missed a straight delivery from Ben Stokes to go for 22 before Carey and Neser sought to stabilisie under the Gabba lights.

Another impressive stand from former state teammates Weatherald and Travis Head had earlier placed further doubt over the viability of a Test return for Usman Khawaja, whose back spasms paved the way for this new opening pairing in Perth and whose ongoing troubles ensured it had an encore at the Gabba.

Having played the support role to Head in the first Test run chase, Weatherald took the lead this time. Aided by a relatively benign pitch, the Tasmania opener hammered England off the back foot, gliding to his maiden Test half-century off just 45 balls before falling lbw to Archer for 72.

Sedate and watchful early, Head should have gone for three when he edged Archer only to be put down on three by England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith in what was a regulation chance for a gloveman.

The South Australian eventually departed for 33 to a leading-edge off the bowling of Carse, but only after he and Weatherald had taken Australia’s score to 77.

With the openers having eaten into England’s lead, Labuschagne picked up where he left off in the Perth run chase, looking extremely comfortable against a misfiring touring side.

But against the run of play he feathered a Stokes delivery to the England gloveman, falling for 65.

Smith and Green looked in control under lights, putting on 95 for the fourth wicket before Green’s brain fade changed the course of the match.

The day had started with England’s 10th wicket stand finally ending at 70 when Labuschagne continued an outstanding Aussie fielding performance to take a diving one-hander at deep backward square leg to remove Archer for 38.

Root was unconquered on 138 having finally made a hundred on Australian soil the previous evening, with England bowled out for 334.

Mitchell Starc earlier finished with 6-75 while Australia’s ability to bowl England out within 80 overs ensured the Aussies would not incur any guaranteed over rate penalties despite managing just 74 overs on day one.

The gains of the Root-Archer union were rapidly undone by a touring attack that appeared to have lost the killer edge displayed on day one at Perth Stadium.

Originally published as David Warner condemns Cameron Green for ‘ridiculous’ dismissal as Australia open door for England at Gabba