Australia's Green Eyes Continued Gains After Key Half-Century at Number 3 Hoặc: Green's Grenada Fifty Fuels Hopes for More Runs at Number 3 After Injury Return

Australia's Cameron Green expressed satisfaction with his performance in the second innings of the Grenada Test against the West Indies on Saturday, marking his first half-century as a No. 3 batsman. His resilient 52 off 123 balls, coupled with a crucial 93-run partnership with Steve Smith, who returned to the team with a stylish 71, proved vital for the team.

Cameron Green showcases determination at the crease in the Grenada Test. © AFP

"You always need an innings here and there just to get you going, and hopefully today was one of those," Green stated after the day's play. He emphasized the importance of spending time in the middle, noting that his balls faced have been increasing, a positive sign despite the runs not always following.

Green's Return and No. 3 Opportunity

After recovering from back surgery that sidelined him during the 2024-25 home season, Green honed his skills with Gloucestershire in County cricket, scoring three centuries in five games. He was initially slotted in at No. 3 for the WTC final, with Marnus Labuschagne moving up to open. Following Labuschagne's drop from the Test side and Smith's injury in the first Test against West Indies, Green seized the No. 3 opportunity. Prior to his half-century, his scores at No. 3 were 4, 0, 3, 15 and 26.

Green addressed his new batting position, saying, "If you ask most of the guys in our changeroom, they've all batted number three their whole junior career and no different with me...being one spot up is no different."

He acknowledged the challenging conditions of the pitch, particularly on Friday evening and with the new ball on Saturday. He praised Steve Smith's exceptional innings, highlighting his class and ability to perform on a difficult wicket.

Focus on Batting, Return to Bowling on the Horizon

Due to the recent injury layoff, Green is currently focusing solely on his batting. "To be able to sneak into (the team) while still not bowling, I'm incredibly grateful for that and hopefully my output can be a little better than it has been. But today was a nice sign that things are trending well," he remarked.

Green anticipates a gradual return to bowling, potentially during the Shield games or the one-dayers against India in October. "I've certainly had enough rest, so my back is not an issue, it's more getting load ups now," Green explained, adding that a final decision will be made closer to the time.