Cameron Green described the pitch as “pretty tough” after scoring his second Test century, 103 not out, as Australia went to stumps at 9-279 after being sent in.
“It was one of those days. Someone had to bat through and that was me,” Green, 24, said after play. “It was nice to stick it out there and put a semi-competitive total on the board.”
Green’s first century was on a flat pitch in Ahmedabad a year ago. Significantly this was his first hundred at No.4 since being recalled to the Test team following the retirement of David Warner after the Pakistan series when Steve Smith moved up to open.
Cameron Green celebrates his century in Wellington.Credit: Getty
Green’s hundred not out leaves Australia 9/279 at stumps
Cameron Green’s 103 not out has left Australia comfortably placed at stumps on 9-279 after being sent in on a grassy pitch which aided the seam bowlers. It was a strong recovery after Australia slipped to 4-89. Green, who faced 155 balls and hit 16 fours, was the only player to manage more than 40 from 39 balls.
Cameron Green scored his second Test century.Credit: Getty
Cameron Green scores second Test century
Cameron Green has scored his second Test century, saving Australia from collapse on the opening day of the first Test.
He was on 91 when last man Josh Hazlewood came to the wicket and hammered three fours in four balls to reach the milestone.
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Lyon caught behind as Green approaches century
Nathan Lyon has been caught behind for five, leaving just Josh Hazlewood to support Cameron Green as he approaches his second Test century. Green was 91 when Lyon departed, giving Matt Henry his fourth wicket. Green smashed the next ball past mid-on to the boundary.
Lyon survives review
Nathan Lyon has survived an lbw review against Tim Southee bowling the third over with the second new ball. A scramble seam delivery cut back and hit Lyon in line but it was always an optimistic attempt by Southee, with the ball hitting Lyon (one) above the knee roll. Lyon played a lovely straight drive to the boundary from the last delivery of the over.
New ball taken after 80 overs
Cameron Green has hit the first two deliveries from the second new ball for boundaries, bringing up Australia’s 250. The first came from a lovely on-drive and the second a well-placed square cut behind point. Nathan Lyon was then dropped at third slip before he had scored by Kane Williams diving low to his right at third slip from the last delivery. Tim Southee took the second new ball after 80 overs with Australia 8-245. Cameron Green was 74.
Cameron Green hit successive fours from the first over with the second new ball to move into the 80s.Credit: Getty
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Cummins out after two sixes
Pat Cummins took to New Zealand’s part-time spinner Rachin Ravindra but was eventually out lbw to a faster ball from the occasional left arm spinner for 16. Ravindra was bowling to soak up overs before the second new ball and twice Cummins hit the bowler back over his head into the sellout crowd. But he played back to a ball which kept low and was clearly out despite calling for a review.
Pat Cummins was out for 16.Credit: Getty
Green forced to work for his runs
Cameron Green was challenged by New Zealand’s seam attack on a helpful pitch, including this ball from Will O’Rourke.Credit: photosport
Starc out edging to slips
Cameron Green is running out of support, with Mitchell Starc caught at second slip by Tom Latham for nine. Starc edged a lifting delivery from young fast bowler Will O’Rourke that was sliding across the left hander, giving the 22-year-old his second wicket. Starc shared a partnership of 35 with Green, the only Australian to manage a half-century.
Will O’Rourke celebrates a wicket.Credit: Getty
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Green scores valuable half-century
Cameron Green has scored an important half-century, holding Australia’s innings together on the opening day of the first Test. Green brought up his seventh Test match half-century with successive boundaries, a powerful square drive and then a lofted straight drive which burst through the handers of bowler Tim Southee. The milestone came in 108 balls with eight fours.
Cameron Green reached his seventh Test half-century.Credit: Getty