'There’s Still..'- Cameron Green Opens Up On Oval's Pitch Prior To Day 5 Of WTC Final
Cameron Green celebrating a dismissal [Source: AP]
The pitch at The Oval on Saturday played better than the first three days in terms of batting, but Australia all-rounder Cameron Green feels there is still enough assistance for the pacers. He has backed his team to defend a 444-run target against India in the World Test Championship final here on the fifth and final day of play.
India set off on an electrifying note while chasing 444 runs, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill launching a blistering assault from the word go. The dynamic duo forged a 41-run opening stand before a controversial catch claimed by Cameron Green ended Gill's stay at the crease after contributing 18 runs off a mere 19 balls.
Captain Rohit Sharma then kept taking charge and looked in great touch, only until Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was introduced in the bowling attack. The 34-year-old departed while playing a rash sweep shot and was adjudged LBW. He scored a quickfire 43 runs off 60 balls.
Shortly after his departure, Cheteshwar Pujara also made his way back to the pavilion, paving the way for Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane to come together and mount an astounding fightback. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket, propelling India to a total of 164 by the end of day 4's play.
The way the ball was behaving off the bat of the batters on Day four left no doubt that the pitch had become relatively conducive to batting. However, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green believes that there is still ample assistance for the bowlers on the surface, suggesting that they can successfully defend the total against India.
Here’s what Cameron Green said
"The wicket, we still feel like there’s a lot in there off the wicket. So, yeah, any time we can kind of maybe try and hit the seam and let the ball do itself. Let the ball go each way. We don’t know which way it’s going, neither does the batter, so that’s a few things we talk about."
Green further revealed that he was trying to bowl with the wobbled seam in English conditions and will stick to his game plan even on the final day of the contest.
"I think a lot of conversation we had prior to the game was talking about how good most players are at the ball swinging, but yeah, potentially trying to find a wobble seam. That’s basically the majority of my balls I’ve been trying to do that."
As the contest enters its fifth and final day, the equation becomes straightforward for both teams. India requires 280 runs for victory, while Australia needs just seven wickets to seal the win. The cricketing world eagerly awaits to see if India can finally break their trophy drought and emerge victorious in the thrilling summit clash.
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