Green shines against India

21 year old all-rounder Cameron Green justified the continued excitement around his prodigious talent, putting his hand up for a Test debut on Thursday week at the Adelaide Oval as he made an unbeaten 114 on day two of the tour match against India at Drummoyne Oval.

On a day where other Test aspirants failed, Green rode his luck in being dropped on two occasions to score his fifth first class century, in what is just his 20th first class match.

India resumed on 8-237 with Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on 107, batting on for only 20 minutes before Rahane himself declared at 9-247, undefeated on 117.

Mohammed Siraj departed for a duck to Mark Steketee, caught behind by Tim Paine to give the big Queenslander his first breakthrough of the innings.

Jackson Bird suffered what was later to be confirmed to be a calf injury three balls in to his 20th over of the innings, leaving the field in a blow to Australia's fast bowling stocks.

Once the declaration came all eyes were on Australia A's top order, with Joe Burns and Will Pucovski both trying to prove themselves against the Indian bowling attack.

Both right handers fell cheaply to Umesh Yadav, Pucovski caught at point for one and Burns caught behind trying to withdraw his bat having made four as Australia A slumped to 2-5.

Marcus Harris looked in sparkling form as he and captain Travis Head added 55, the latter chopping on to Mohammed Siraj to the last ball of the session for 18.

Harris fell soon after the break to Ravi Ashwin, cutting a ball too close to him and edging to Rahane at slip.

Nic Maddinson played positively for 23 before being trapped in front by the same bowler, who went with the unique look of bowling in both his Indian cap and sunglasses on a warm Sydney afternoon.

At 5-98 Australia A needed a partnership and got it, with young gun Green joined by Test captain Tim Paine to steady the innings.

Green should have departed on 25 when he was put down at second slip by Hanuma Vihari, finding fluency the longer his innings went on.

He reached fifty with a slashing cut for four, continuing his impressive early season form that has everybody in Australian cricket talking.

The stand continued after Tea as India's bowlers struggled to seperate the pair, Green looking at home against the dual spin threat of Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav, using his feet to get down the pitch to smother the spin and looking equally comfortable playing back through the on-side.

Paine was bounced out by Umesh for 44 to break the partnership at 104, but Green continued on his way towards a century despite being offered a life on 84, dropped by wicketkeeper Wriddiman Saha in what was a tough chance low to his right.

James Pattinson appeared unlucky to be given out caught behind off Siraj, adjudged to have edged the ball by umpire Shawn Craig despite appearing to have hit the ground and missed the ball.

Michael Neser played positively as Green eased his way to three figures with a minimum of fuss, the Queensland all-rounder making 33 from 57 balls before being run out by a direct hit trying to help Green score his 100th run.

It duly arrived with the first delivery with the second new ball, driving serenly through wide mid-off to reach three figures, the latest compelling case from Australia's brightest young cricketing talent.

He finished the day on 114, Australia A with a lead of 39 runs at 8-286 by the end of the day's proceedings, a day remaining in the match.

Umesh has 3-44 for India to put his name forward for the pink ball Test in Adelaide on Thursday week, Ashwin with two wickets as he firms as the first choice spinner.

Play resumes tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM AWST, a second tour match starting at the SCG on Friday with a pink ball in what is a day/night fixture.

IMAGE: Daily Telegraph.