Green guides Gloucestershire to rare red ball victory
The Australian allrounder has made an unbeaten 67 off 90 balls to steer Gloucestershire to a tense three-wicket victory over Kent in Bristol, ensuring his first innings century did not go to waste.
It was Gloucestershire's first win of the season, and their first home red ball victory since September 2022.
Glos were set 162 to win on Monday's fourth and final day after Kent had been dismissed for 253 in their second innings. Kalgoorlie's Grant Stewart, who made a remarkable career-best 182 off 189 balls in the first innings, had added 41 to his match tally.
The home team lost former Australia opener Cameron Bancroft, their captain, for seven as they slumped to 4-57 but Green and James Bracey, who shared a 222-run fifth-wicket partnership in the first dig, again combined well.
After Green was reprieved on three, Jack Leaning missing a sharp chance at second slip off Kashif Ali, he and Bracey they took the score to 121. With no time pressure Glos looked to be cruising.
But Nathan Gilchrist dismissed Bracey then had Graeme van Buuren caught for a pair next ball. Green, driving powerfully straight and pulling well, moved to a 50 but Kent further reduced Glos to 7-138.
Green and Zaman Akhter settled the innings and gradually whittled down the target before a scrambled single to point by Green off fellow West Australian Stewart ensured victory.
Green has one more match in his stay with Gloucestershire, which was funded by a mystery benefactor, away to Darren Lehmann's Northamptonshire, before joining Australia for the World Test Championship final.
"He's been an amazing assent for us, on and off the field. I've loved having him around and learning from him," said young opening batter Joe Phillips.
Green would love to face Kent's modest, injury-hit attack every week, he has made 310 runs for thrice out against them this season, compared to 12 in three innings against other opponents.
Whether that equips him to face Kagiso Rabada and company at Lord's next month is another matter, but runs on the board are good for any batter's confidence.
Elsewhere in Division Two Caleb Jewell fell to veteran English seamer James Anderson for the second time in the match, dismissed for 12 as Derbyshire ground out a draw against Lancashire at Old Trafford.
Set 329 to win the visitors were never in contention, finishing on 8-220 with Anderson taking 2-25 off 26 overs.
The result left Lancashire bottom, four points behind Lehmann's Northants with work to do for new Red Rose captain Marcus Harris.
In contrast Leicestershire, captained by Peter Handscomb, are 38 points clear at the top.
In Division One Surrey defeated Yorkshire by an innings and 28 runs despite Jonny Bairstow's 77. South Australia's Jordan Buckingham had followed his first innings three and 0-66 with a golden duck.
That moved the defending champions top after previous leaders Nottinghamshire lost by seven wickets at Durham.
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