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Important SN update for SouthlandHealy bemused after new-look Aussie top order fails
SEN • June 26th, 2025 10:53 am
Australia’s top order has had another tough time in the first innings of the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados.
While Usman Khawaja made an important 47 as Australia reached 180, both Sam Konstas (3) and Cameron Green (3) failed as both fell to Shamar Joseph.
It’s now the third innings that Green has had in the No. 3 slot after featuring there in the WTC Final loss v South Africa and he’s made just seven runs at an average of 2.33 at first drop.
Clearly being more suited to No. 4 in the long-term, Aussie cricket great Ian Healy was bemused that skipper Pat Cummins was talking about the all-rounder as a long-term No. 3 given that Nathan McSweeney has long been earmarked for that role if the opportunity opened up to him.
Healy also pointed out a technical flaw of Green’s that must be fixed if he’s to make a good fist of it against the top order.
“I do find it a little bemusing that Pat Cummins is saying that Cameron Green is a long-term No. 3,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.
“Previously about four months ago, they said Nathan McSweeney is a No. 3 moving forward for as long as you like and possible captain.
“Hopefully nothing’s changed and he's just forgotten about ‘Sweens’. He should be our number 3 and Cam Green can enjoy some other place in the order.
“Cam Green, he's swishing a little bit too hard at the ball across the line of touch, and getting caught in slips.
“Zak Crawley, the tall man and England opener made a change within a game (to combat that). He was doing that in the first innings (like Green). But in the second innings, it was obvious he was trying to play straight with the full face of the bat.
“He went on to make 65 in one of the most historic run chases (chasing 371 at Headingley against India).
“So, Cam Green has just got to get his full face coming straight at the ball.”
SEN Cricket’s Bharat Sundaresan was also critical of Australia’s top order after the axing of Marnus Labuschagne, particularly with how unequipped both Green and Steve Smith’s injury replacement Josh Inglis (5) looked out in the middle on Day 1.
“It’s led to even more questions about this new-look Australian batting lineup,” Sundaresan said on SEN Cricket.
“They took a call on Marnus Labuschagne after a few months where it looked like they could leave him out at any point. They gave him the chance at the top of the order at Lord’s, but it didn’t work out, so they’ve moved on from him for now.
“They have brought in Josh Inglis, Sam Konstas was back as opener and stuck with Cam Green at No. 3 - all three have not worked out (in this Test).
“The issue is more the way all three batters looked in the middle. Cam Green being the most glaring example of that. He was a massive, big cat on a hot tin roof. Throughout that innings he just didn’t look settled at all. And Josh Inglis the same.”
Luckily for Australia, Travis Head (59) was able to rescue the innings somewhat to help the visitors reach 180. The West Indies reached 4/57 at Stumps in reply as Australia lead by 123 runs.
Play commences on Day 2 in Barbados at midnight. Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.
