Australia all-rounder Cameron Green will remember this year’s Boxing Day for the rest of his career for registering a maiden five wicket-haul on the first day of the second Test match against South Africa in Melbourne today.
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Green, 23, picked bowling figures of 10.4-3-27-5 to play a primary role in bundling out the opposition for 189 in 68.4 overs to justify captain Pat Cummins’ decision of bowling first after winning the toss in the process.
Introduced into the attack for the first time in the 18th over, Green picked a wicket in his second over after South Africa batter Theunis de Bruyn (12) top-edged a non-existent pull to Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey.
It was then in the third session that Green picked four wickets within 12 balls to run through the lower-order of the Proteas. An instrumental effort saw Green bringing an end to a 112-run seventh-wicket partnership between Kyle Verreynne (52) and Marco Jansen (59).
Green, who dismissed both the right-handed half-centurions, also sent South African pacers Kagiso Rabada (4) and Lungi Ngidi (2) back to the pavilion to wrap up their innings.
Nathan Lyon gives witty reply about Cameron Green IPL 2023 auction price for Mumbai Indians
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is pleased to be witnessing “hardworking” Green’s success at the highest level. An honest Lyon went on to reveal how he was discussing with Cummins regarding not wanting to dismiss Ngidi in his last over to not deny Green of a five-fer.
It is noteworthy that Green’s success is no longer limited to international cricket. Having hit jackpot in Indian Premier League 2023 mini-auction last week, Green has entered the list of IPL millionaires. A record bid by Mumbai Indians saw Green attaining the second spot in not only the list of most expensive players in IPL 2023 auction but in the history of IPL auctions.
“We all know the quality of player that he is. He’s in a pretty good headspace now. He’s had a pretty unbelievable week, start of the week, hasn’t he? He hasn’t shut up [about IPL auction 2023 success]. But, yeah nah, hats off to him. Stoked for him,” Lyon told cricket.com.au with respect to wishing well for Green at the end of play on Day 1.
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With Green having already emerged as Cummins’ go-to fifth bowling option, Lyon remarked cheekily how the right-arm medium-pacer is bowling overs which he used to bowl before his entry into the Australian unit. Yet to contribute with the bat in hand in this Test summer, Green would be looking to celebrate his IPL bid with some runs at the MCG tomorrow.
