IPL 2024: Cameron Green superb as David Warner fails in return from injury

Cameron Green delivered again to give his side hope of an IPL finals campaign, but it came at the expense of three Aussies.

Cameron Green’s surge in form since his selection in Australia’s World Cup squad has continued with a player-of-the-match performance denting the IPL playoff hopes of David Warner and Jake Fraser-McGurk’s Delhi Capitals.

Warner returned from a hand injury after three weeks on the sidelines but only lasted two balls before he was caught on the long-on boundary for one against Green’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

It comes amid a difficult period for the 36-year-old, who was still preferred to Fraser-McGurk in Australia’s squad for next month’s World Cup despite his most recent five innings delivering scores of 18, 10, 8, 1 and 1.

A frustrated David Warner made his return from a hand injury in the IPL but was dismissed for one off two balls. Picture: Idrees Mohammed / AFP

Fraser-McGurk stayed at the top of the order to partner Warner and blasted two fours and two sixes before he was dismissed for a rapid 21 from eight balls.

The 22-year-old has 330 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 237.41 – the highest of any player with more than 60 runs – after he was signed as a replacement player by Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting and made a delayed start to the tournament.

Green’s selection in the World Cup squad was the source of some surprise after limited recent involvement in the international format, but he again backed the selectors’ call with an unbeaten 32 and miserly 1-19 off four overs as the Royal Challengers claimed a 47-run win over the Capitals.

Cameron Green celebrates after taking the wicket of Delhi Capitals batter Rasikh Salam during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s important IPL win on Sunday. Picture: Idrees Mohammed / AFP

He also effected an impressive run-out off his own bowling as he ran the length of the pitch before turning to throw down the stumps at the nonstriker’s end to dismiss South African hitter Tristan Stubbs.

Green has had to adjust to batting at No.5 after a breakout campaign at first drop with the Mumbai Indians in the 2023 tournament, but the 24-ball cameo was his second important contribution in a row after he struck 46 off 27 on Thursday.

The Royal Challengers’ winning streak has brought them within striking distance of a top-four spot with one game to play, while Ponting, Warner and Fraser-McGurk’s Capitals also have a 6-7 record but are too far behind on net run rate to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the playoffs.