‘Not technically sound to bat at number 3’ - Former Australian pacer slams Cameron Green for his batting failures in WTC finals

Australia are on the cusp of losing their grip on the World Test Championship (WTC) with South Africa needing just 69 runs to win. Aiden Markram’s unbeaten century and Temba Bavuma’s fifty has put the Proteas in firm control of the game. Former Australian pacer Damein Fleming has slammed Australia for their decision to slot Cameron Green at the number three position for the game. 

This decision came about after Marnus Labuschagne was asked to open the batting along with Usman Khawaja for the game. Cameron Green who is coming back after a long injury layoff is playing as a specialist batter. The 26-year-old scored four in the first innings and was out for a duck in his second innings. 

Sportskeeda quoted Damien Fleming as saying “We’ve complicated things here. I don’t like the top 3. Cam Green is not No 3. I’m a fan but where do you fit him in? He’s probably - in this line up - suited to No 6 but Beau Webster is not a superstar, but he’s just so handy in all three facets. Cam Green, watch his technique, he’s not technically efficient enough to bat at top 3 – these are specialist roles."

Australia’s opening woes come to the fore 

Ever since the retirement of David Warner from Test cricket, Australia has been trying to find a stable opening partnership. Steve Smith, Sam Konstas, and Nathan McSweeney have been tried at the top of the order along with veteran batter Usman Khawaja. Marnus Labuschagne is the fourth batter to be tried at the top and the right-handed batter could score only 39 runs from the two innings as an opener. 

Damien Fleming also added “I won’t be surprised if Inglis comes in in the West Indies but is he going to bat in the top 6 against England? There’s so many questions. We have got to pick openers.Usman might get to the end of the Ashes and I expect him to get runs in the West Indies because it wont be dissimilar to Sri Lanka."

Chasing 282 runs to win, South Africa ended the day at 213 for the loss of two wickets. Mitchell Starc got the ball rolling with the wicket of Ryan Rickelton for six runs and then got Wiaan Mulder for 27. Skipper Bavuma joined Markram as the pair added 143 for the third wicket in 230 balls.