One man’s heroics can’t save Australia from humiliating defeat.
Cameron Green finally silenced his critics with a defiant century in Darwin, though his heroics proved the sole highlight as Australia slumped to a shocking nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh.
The 27-year-old all-rounder’s 104, his first Test ton on home soil, ended an 11-innings drought without a half-century, showcasing the commanding power and poise that selectors have long believed in.
While Green’s knock provided rare solace on a demoralising third day, the rest of Australia’s batting order crumbled around him in favourable conditions, exposing deep cracks in a full-strength line-up that should have dominated.
Captain Pat Cummins, admitting the team’s approach “is not quite functioning”, now faces urgent decisions before Saturday’s second Test in Mackay, with changes to the underperforming top order looming.
Green, who has endured constant scrutiny after being shuffled between positions during the Ashes and West Indies tours, finally returned to his natural method.
“It’s nice just to go back to what worked,” he said. Cummins declared Green has earned an extended run at number five, praising his total command of skills.
For Green, the outside noise is simply part of the territory. “When you play for Australia, you always have to perform,” he shrugged.
