
Green finds form as Australia eye series win in Windies
Australia ended a rain-interrupted day three on 7-221, with Alex Carey (26no) and captain Pat Cummins (4no) still there when stumps were called due to bad light in Grenada on Saturday.
With the pressure mounting on their faltering top order, having slumped to 2-12 following the dismissals of openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja late on day two, Smith (71) and Green (52) stepped up.
Green has struggled since returning from more than 12 months out due to a serious back injury for last month's World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa.
Batting in the coveted No.3 spot, the 26-year-old had managed just 48 runs across his first five innings.
But Green looked assured at the crease until he chopped on to his stumps, a ball after reaching seventh Test half-century, leaving him furious.
"I've batted at No.4 for WA, being one spot (above) is no different," Green told reporters.
"Hopefully my output can be a little bit better than it has been, but today was a nice sign that things are hopefully trending well.
"You always need an innings here and there to get you back and going, hopefully today was one of those."
Smith, who was dismissed cheaply for three in the first innings just 20 days after returning from a nasty finger dislocation, was chanceless as Australia hunt a series-clinching victory at St George's.
But Smith was out lbw to Justin Greaves (2-22) when he appeared to be storming towards a 37th Test century.
Travis Head (39) helped maintain the impressive Australian run rate but fell to Shamar Joseph for the second time in the match.
Earlier, nightwatchman Nathan Lyon did well early on to support Green, eating up valuable overs as the pair sought to blunt the new ball.
Spin-king Lyon had batted an hour and 47 minutes, using up 33 balls, before departing to a catch from John Campbell at third slip off Alzarri Joseph.
His resistance made it easier for Green to settle in the first session and the West Australian looked determined to take on the responsibility of holding the innings together.
Pat Cummins' Australia side are looking to claim a series-clinching victory at the National Stadium in St George's, a venue in which they've never before played a Test.
The pitch is still tricky to bat on, ensuring any lead close to 300, combined with Australia's star-studded bowling attack, will make it difficult for the West Indies to chase down in the fourth innings.
"He was batting on a different wicket, clearly a class above. That's a tough wicket," Green said of Smith's innings.
A breakthrough fifty at No.3 for Cameron Green and an enterprising knock from the returning Steve Smith have boosted Australia's lead to 254 in the second Test against the West Indies.
Australia ended a rain-interrupted day three on 7-221, with Alex Carey (26no) and captain Pat Cummins (4no) still there when stumps were called due to bad light in Grenada on Saturday.
With the pressure mounting on their faltering top order, having slumped to 2-12 following the dismissals of openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja late on day two, Smith (71) and Green (52) stepped up.
Green has struggled since returning from more than 12 months out due to a serious back injury for last month's World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa.
Batting in the coveted No.3 spot, the 26-year-old had managed just 48 runs across his first five innings.
But Green looked assured at the crease until he chopped on to his stumps, a ball after reaching seventh Test half-century, leaving him furious.
"I've batted at No.4 for WA, being one spot (above) is no different," Green told reporters.
"Hopefully my output can be a little bit better than it has been, but today was a nice sign that things are hopefully trending well.
"You always need an innings here and there to get you back and going, hopefully today was one of those."
Smith, who was dismissed cheaply for three in the first innings just 20 days after returning from a nasty finger dislocation, was chanceless as Australia hunt a series-clinching victory at St George's.
But Smith was out lbw to Justin Greaves (2-22) when he appeared to be storming towards a 37th Test century.
Travis Head (39) helped maintain the impressive Australian run rate but fell to Shamar Joseph for the second time in the match.
Earlier, nightwatchman Nathan Lyon did well early on to support Green, eating up valuable overs as the pair sought to blunt the new ball.
Spin-king Lyon had batted an hour and 47 minutes, using up 33 balls, before departing to a catch from John Campbell at third slip off Alzarri Joseph.
His resistance made it easier for Green to settle in the first session and the West Australian looked determined to take on the responsibility of holding the innings together.
Pat Cummins' Australia side are looking to claim a series-clinching victory at the National Stadium in St George's, a venue in which they've never before played a Test.
The pitch is still tricky to bat on, ensuring any lead close to 300, combined with Australia's star-studded bowling attack, will make it difficult for the West Indies to chase down in the fourth innings.
"He was batting on a different wicket, clearly a class above. That's a tough wicket," Green said of Smith's innings.
A breakthrough fifty at No.3 for Cameron Green and an enterprising knock from the returning Steve Smith have boosted Australia's lead to 254 in the second Test against the West Indies.
Australia ended a rain-interrupted day three on 7-221, with Alex Carey (26no) and captain Pat Cummins (4no) still there when stumps were called due to bad light in Grenada on Saturday.
With the pressure mounting on their faltering top order, having slumped to 2-12 following the dismissals of openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja late on day two, Smith (71) and Green (52) stepped up.
Green has struggled since returning from more than 12 months out due to a serious back injury for last month's World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa.
Batting in the coveted No.3 spot, the 26-year-old had managed just 48 runs across his first five innings.
But Green looked assured at the crease until he chopped on to his stumps, a ball after reaching seventh Test half-century, leaving him furious.
"I've batted at No.4 for WA, being one spot (above) is no different," Green told reporters.
"Hopefully my output can be a little bit better than it has been, but today was a nice sign that things are hopefully trending well.
"You always need an innings here and there to get you back and going, hopefully today was one of those."
Smith, who was dismissed cheaply for three in the first innings just 20 days after returning from a nasty finger dislocation, was chanceless as Australia hunt a series-clinching victory at St George's.
But Smith was out lbw to Justin Greaves (2-22) when he appeared to be storming towards a 37th Test century.
Travis Head (39) helped maintain the impressive Australian run rate but fell to Shamar Joseph for the second time in the match.
Earlier, nightwatchman Nathan Lyon did well early on to support Green, eating up valuable overs as the pair sought to blunt the new ball.
Spin-king Lyon had batted an hour and 47 minutes, using up 33 balls, before departing to a catch from John Campbell at third slip off Alzarri Joseph.
His resistance made it easier for Green to settle in the first session and the West Australian looked determined to take on the responsibility of holding the innings together.
Pat Cummins' Australia side are looking to claim a series-clinching victory at the National Stadium in St George's, a venue in which they've never before played a Test.
The pitch is still tricky to bat on, ensuring any lead close to 300, combined with Australia's star-studded bowling attack, will make it difficult for the West Indies to chase down in the fourth innings.
"He was batting on a different wicket, clearly a class above. That's a tough wicket," Green said of Smith's innings.

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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Brumbies brothers join forces in bid to be Lion tamers
Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘A bit too much': Willie Rioli's shock revelation after threat ban fallout
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has revealed he almost quit the game after being caught sending threats to opposition players but he's stayed to continue to champion the cause of indigenous players. Rioli was suspended for a game in May and hit with fines after revelations of a social media threat to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale with a further two instances of similar aggression to opponents coming to light. He earned support from Port chairman, David Koch, who suggestion Rioli was subjected to 'culturally insensitive' remarks, which was shot down by the Bulldogs in a war of words between the two clubs. It was putting Port in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and the fallout from the incident moved Rioli to contemplate walking away. 'Definitely it gets to a point where it's a bit too much sometimes,' Rioli told Port's club podcast, Peeled. 'And yeah I have spoken to my manager and the club a couple of times about walking away from the game, which I am not shy to talk about. 'More so ... trying to not be putting any more pressure on the club. Get them out of the spotlight as well, in terms of not have to deal with my issues so much as a person off-field.' Remarkably, Rioli even said he took a 'bit of the blame' for a drop off in indigenous player numbers, a feeling dating back to copping an 18-month suspension for tampering with his marijuana-tainted urine sample while at West Coast. 'I do hold a bit of blame myself a little bit for some of the stuff I have been through, in terms of clubs not trusting Indigenous players,' he said, declaring righting that wrong, and improving perceptions was why he's still playing. 'I felt that was my driver to come back to footy ... be the light in terms of 'we can go through this'. 'I look at the drop in terms of Indigenous players in the competition ... that gives me the motivation to stick around longer, to help the next generation do better than what we are doing or what I am doing. 'I want the next (Indigenous) generation to be better than what we are right now. 'And I want them to have their confidence to make mistakes and not be judged by their mistakes.'


West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr joins training session in Perth as she continues road to recovery
Fremantle-born Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has stepped out to train with the squad in Perth for the first time during the national side's four-game stint in Perth. Kerr has not played a competitive game since rupturing her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in Morocco in January 2024. Her road back to the pitch has been long and full of hurdles, including a second round of surgery earlier this year and a UK court battle. However, fans will be buoyed by the star Aussie's inclusion during training at a wet HBF Park on Monday afternoon. The Matildas will face Panama in their final clash of the four-game stint on Tuesday, eager to make amends for the shock defeat to the No.56-ranked visitors in a historic Bunbury clash. The Matildas' captain is not part of the 33-player squad for the four friendlies, but the West Australian has been making the most of her homecoming. During Australia's first match against Slovenia at HBF Park, Kerr sent fans into a frenzy, and for their running shoes, with a pre-game signing session. The striker was the darling of the game's youngest fans as she gave everyone a taste of Sam-Kerr time with kids packing the eastern terrace and clamouring for their soccer hero's coveted signature, calling her name from the moment she entered the arena. Over the weekend, the 31-year-old also stepped out with her fellow soccer star partner Kristie Mewis and their new baby Jagger. The pair were spotted enjoying a relaxed brunch with Kerr's parents on Sunday morning, with Mewis pictured holding their two-month-old in a carrier. Kerr and Mewis began their relationship around 2020 before confirming they were a couple on social media in August 2021. They got engaged in September 2023, announcing it publicly two months later. Their engagement was followed by the news that they were expecting their first child in November last year. Kerr announced the arrival of Jagger Mewis-Kerr in May, writing 'Our little man is here' alongside a picture of the family of three. The proud mums have both shared pictures of the newborn on social media, including one that featured him in a onesie with a Vegemite print on it.