All-rounder Cameron Green has staked his claim for a Test spot, using the Australia A match against the Indian touring side to make an unbeaten century at Drummoyne Oval.
Key points:
- All-rounder Cameron Green made an impressive 114 not out for Australia A, hitting 10 fours and a six against India
- Earlier, Will Pucovski scored 1 off 23 and Joe Burns made 4 off 13 but both openers fell to Umesh Yadav
- David Warner may miss the first Test against India due to a groin injury
Going into the game, the spotlight was on openers Will Pucovski and Joe Burns — but both failed in their bids to impress Australian selectors.
Instead it was Green who made the runs, accumulating an impressive 114 not out by stumps on day two, with Australia A 8-286 in response to India’s 9-247 declared.
The 198cm tall Western Australian showed poise, good foot movement and shot making, hitting 10 fours and a six against the Indian attack.
He looked like he might run out of partners, but a spirited 33 from Michael Neser helped give Green time, and he eventually brought up his century with an off-drive off Hanuma Vihari.
Earlier, Pucovski opened for Australia A after India’s declaration on the second morning of the three-day warm-up game — but he only managed 1 off 22 deliveries before smoking his 23rd directly to point, where Shubman Gill took a sharp chance down low.
Seamer Umesh Yadav doubled up when he got a ball to rise on Burns, who gloved through to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha two overs later for just 4.
The pair could well open together in the first Test against India at the Adelaide Oval if David Warner does not recover from a groin injury in time.
If he is fit, selectors will be forced to choose just one of the pair for the series opener, which starts in 10 days.
Burns appears to be the frontrunner with team management, having been backed by coach Justin Langer after finishing last summer as the incumbent.
But he has passed 11 just once in his five Sheffield Shield innings so far this year, while 22-year-old Pucovski hit double centuries in two of his three innings for Victoria this summer and is seen as a star of the future.
But his attempt to press his case didn’t go to plan at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval, surviving an LBW appeal from a Mohammed Siraj inswinger before being caught.
Marcus Harris, who has played nine Tests and scored a double ton alongside Pucovski for Victoria earlier this year, was also pressing his claim for an opening spot but fell short.
He was out for 35 after trying to cut off-spinner Ravi Ashwin, only to edge to Ajinkya Rahane at first slip.
The Indians had earlier declared at 9-247 on the second morning of the tour match, with Rahane finishing unbeaten on 117.
Australia A also lost Jackson Bird to a lower leg injury, after he limped off the field as he ran in to bowl just the third ball of the day.
James Pattinson was the best of the bowlers with 3-58.
AAP/ABC
