Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green’s unbroken 177-run partnership in Ahmedabad has continued to grind India down in unforgiving conditions in the fourth Test.
Resuming on 4/255, the pair put on 92 runs before lunch without the loss of a wicket – the second wicketless session for the series following on from the afternoon session on Day 1 – with the focus on continuing to slowly accrue runs rather than look to up the ante.
Khawaja moved smoothly to 150 and is eyeing off his highest Test score of 195 not out, while Green, who headed to the break unbeaten on 95, reached his maiden Test century shortly after the resumption.
With the pitch offering nothing for India’s bowling attack, save for one menacing over from Ravindra Jadeja mid-session, the Aussies’ plan should be to bat for as long as they possibly can and hope heat and time begins to break up the surface on days 4 and 5, according to former Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
“There was one ball there today, that turned for Jadeja – the longer we bat out there, it’s a hot day, nearly 40 degrees… we know, at the back end of this game, things will happen fast,” Haddin said on Fox Cricket.
“We need to keep batting long. You’re getting no help from the surface now, but that will change.
“The longer Australia bat, the more the sun gets onto this surface, you’d expect day 4 and 5, this’ll happen a lot more [balls spitting out of the rough].
“The key for Australia now is to only bat once, and bat really big here, because the wicket will play tricks, we know that. We’ve just got to have enough runs on the board so we can bowl to it.”
Cameron Green of Australia bats. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
‘Don’t have an answer’: Jolly Green’s giant knock leaves India bereft
Having missed the first two Tests of the series with a finger injury, Cameron Green has reminded the cricket world of his quality with a career-best knock in Ahmedabad.
The all-rounder’s batting average has soared past even that of England captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes’ – his bowling average is also comfortably in front – with his cover-driving a particular delight.
Bringing up a maiden Test century shortly after lunch on day 2, Green was delighted with the achievement – and rightly so.
India tried many tactics to unsettle Green throughout his innings, most notably a short-ball assault late on day 1 and throughout the second day’s play, with little success.
“The Indians don’t have an answer for him,” Haddin remarked.
“They’ve tried spin, they’ve gone over and around the wicket, they’ve tried short balls which he’s taken on, but he just continues to learn on the job.
“It’s an impressive innings.”
Green’s performance would have gladdened the hearts of Mumbai Indians fans and powerbrokers, who purchased the Western Australian for a whopping $3.15 million ahead of this year’s IPL, which starts later this month.
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