Cameron Green's Crucial Performance Boosts Ashes Hopes with 94 and Key Bowling Stints

Cameron Green’s 94-run performance in the Sheffield Shield match between his Western Australia team and Queensland at the WACA Ground provided a great boost to his Ashes bid.

His hundred was a miss, but his knock scored vital extras to his count and also enhanced his qualifications in the build-up to the 2025 Ashes, which begins later this month.

On day three, after the play resumed, WA were 210/5 in response to the Queensland score of 390/5, and Green was not out on 49. He played a critical role when the game was evenly poised, and this was his intention.

On the first ball of Mitch Swepson, he made a four so that his total was fifty.

His restraint was in its entirety when he constructed his innings against a tightening Queensland attack and an unorthodox and swinging pitch. Green was composed and relaxed during the 60s and withstood two lbw appeals.

Shortly after lunch, Green fell just short of a century, getting trapped leg-before-wicket by Michael Neser. He made 94 runs off 172 balls, a vital hit by which WA was placed on a firm footing to stay in the game.

After Green was dismissed, WA declared at 322/7, with Aaron Hardie the other notable scorer of the day. Hardie made a crucial contribution of 55 runs, helping to steady the ship.

Queensland’s second innings began with Matt Renshaw. Having just missed out on selections for the Ashes, Renshaw struggled with a knee ailment to make 51 off 73 balls, with Clayton contributing 54.

Bowlers under the auspices of WA, headed by Corey Rocchiccioli, conveyed a different message. Rocchiccioli completed 4/41.

Queensland fell to 183 at 4 to 184 at 8 following the spell of Rocchiccioli, and they were at the mercy of the last day.

Green had also contributed with the bowl, previously having bowled 1 out of eight low overs that had held the Queensland batters at bay, and now bowling 0 out of eight overs. Combined with his batting strength, these figures in bowling make his case in the Ashes stronger.

It remains unclear whether Australian selectors will include Green or Beau Webster as the all-rounder in the first Ashes Test on 21 November in Perth.

Green has a well-balanced performance, patience at the crease, and disciplined bowling, which is an asset and helps to support his case.

A difficult period befell Queensland as Green took the new ball, but he dug his heels in and negotiated the swinging and difficult period with great composure.

At 63, Green survived an lbw appeal by Neser, and at 74, another lbw plea by Gurinder Sandhu, he batted on and proved his grit and patience, despite a late setback.

It demonstrated his readiness for international cricket, and he is a major candidate for the Ashes team.

Queensland, having posted 390 in their first innings, went to stumps at 187 for 8 in their second innings, holding a 255-run lead, with everything to play for on Friday.

Everything is still to play for on the final day, and the chances of a win that WA have are not yet dead, mostly due to the all-round performance of Green.