.png)
Cameron Green will arrive in New Zealand in good shape ahead of next week’s Test after knocking a century in WA’s draw against Tasmania.
Sheffield Shield century could not have come at a better time for the all-rounder, as debate surrounds his spot in the Australian test lineup following recent efforts against the West Indies.
After being left out of the white ball squad, Green was able to focus on preparing for the Test series, doing so by notching up a match-saving 103* at Bellerive Oval.
He and snubbed Aussie opener Cameron Bancroft both brought up centuries to keep WA’s Shield title hopes afloat before the match was called off on Monday.
Former Australian cricketer and Shield commentator Bryce McGain says the well-timed century allows him to head to New Zealand feeling confident.
“It was a positive innings - he was striking at 72. We know the wicket was good, but you've still got to have that level of concentration and I'm really pleased that he's been able to do that from a WA perspective as well,” he told SportFM.
“But I think more for Australia as well, him batting at four, I think is the right move for Australia and it might just hush a few murmurs and the perspective that he hasn't quite earned it. This boy's earned it, and he deserves every opportunity at four for Australia.
“I hope he can make the most of it over in New Zealand where it's not going to be easy, it's going to be the moving ball. It's going to be a big challenge for all the Australian batsmen - the moving ball is an Achilles heel for all the batsmen. I hope he's able to go over there full of confidence and perform at his absolute best.”
Green also contributed two wickets, one in each innings, however, it was not enough to keep Tasmania, who smacked 537 runs in the second innings, at bay.
With his new home at four in Australia’s batting line up, finding balance with his bowling and batting duties is critical.
However, McGain believes Australian Coach Andrew McDonald is the best mentor for him to learn this balancing act from.
“If he wanted to bat for two days he could and he's just that class player and I think now that the balance of him bowling a little bit more as well takes its toll,” he said.
“You’re never going to have a better mentor than Andrew McDonald, who lived all of that.
“Having him trust him to bat at four in the Australian team, your head coach, and then understands, look, you're going to be bowling as well and how to manage all those aspects and how to keep tuning all those aspects in a training session as well, it does take some skill, but he's got a terrific mentor.”
For Tasmania, opener Caleb Jewell smashed 227 runs to take his side to 537 runs and give his side an imposing lead over the West Aussies.
Jewell hit 30 boundaries, including three sixes to bring up his double-ton, before being caught and bowled by Joel Paris.
McGain says this performance has been a long time coming for Jewell.
“I think this is a good breakthrough for him,” he said.
“It is good to see him making those really big scores and having the concentration last through that whole inning. So I think that's an important part, he's always had the shots. He's always been a really capable player.
“He's always been quite aggressive at times but can also knuckle down as well. I think the pleasing part is that his ability to bat a big innings like that, that will give more belief in himself as well.”
IMAGE: WWOS