Cameron Green has gone big to save his spot in the Test XI but a humiliating defeat to Bangladesh still looms for Australia in Darwin.
The 27-year-old cracked his first century in over two years even as teammates fell consistently around him on Sunday, with the tourists chasing a small target of just 57 runs to win the first Test.
Green, under serious pressure to stay in the side having bounced around between No.3 and No.8 without any great success, held strong before falling on 104.
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Alex Carey (30) lasted just six overs on day four as the first victim of allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s offspin.
It was immaculate bowling by Mehidy from around the wicket that undid Carey — floating in, drawing a defensive prod and grazing the edge for Litton Das to do the rest.
Mehidy bowled Beau Webster (12) with an absolute jaffa, a side-spinner that held its line and clattered into off stump. Pat Cummins (12) and Nathan Lyon (15) also fell to Mehidy (5-66).
In contrast Green drove beautifully and played the ball, while making use of the crease well against the spinners, to survive and thrive for the first time in a long time for his maiden home century.
“His first in Australia and that matters for mine,” Matthew Hayden said on Channel 7.
“It can be a bit of a fishbowl, Australian sport, to get that monkey off your back at home that’s really important. You just create a completely different narrative for yourself when you can tick that box.”
Alister Nicholson added: “He’s had his critics and they’ve been quite strong in some circumstances.”
Hayden said Green had “created question marks” with his form and left himself “skating on thin ice” with his role in the team.
“No one’s ever questioned his talent,” he added.
“He’s got an X-factor about him and I think that’s why he has held the attention and the eye of the selectors for as long as he has. This sort of performance just means he is rewarding what those in the know can see.”
On that point, Greg Blewett conceded Green still had things to work on after he had not bowled well in Bangladesh’s innings.
Green had entered the 90s with a big six off Taskim Ahmed.
“He’s really dangerous when he decides to put the foot down — and it’s a big foot,” Hayden said.
As he neared his ton, Hayden said: “Come on Cameron, you’ll make a lot of people happy.”
While Green’s long-awaited runs were welcome there was still little to smile about for Australia.
The hosts were behind in the first of two Tests from the outset after being bowled out for 198 on the opening day. Bangladesh took control by replying with 426.
“There has been a sense of embarrassment,” Hayden said late in Australia’s innings.
“There was an expectation there, it’s impossible to deny the fact that Australia, certainly on paper and as results will tell you, (should have won). They’ve been so supreme in this format of the game.”
He praised Bangladesh, particularly their bowlers, for their consistent approach and said it was notable they hadn’t “tried too hard” as other tourists might.
Alister Nicholson added: “Without question a first Test match win in Australia would be the greatest moment in the history of Bangladeshi cricket.”
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