Green credits chat with Cummins for fifer on Boxing Day

Australia allrounder Cameron Green credited his discussion with captain Pat Cummins which helped him claim his maiden fifer in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa on Monday.

Green's 5-27 was crucial for the home team in restricting South Africa's first innings to 189 all out at the MCG, as they were without injured Mitchell Starc. The medium pacer managed to hit the right areas to extract bounce as the Proteas lost their last five wickets for just 10 runs.

After sparingly used in bowling over the last two years, Green bowled 10.2 overs on the first day which had much to do because of a chat he had with Cummins.

"I had a really good chat with Patty (Cummins) actually the day before and I think he kind of finds his rhythm when he bowls fourth and fifth stump, gets it through to the keeper. He finds when it's kind of kissing through, the keeper is taking it at a pretty good level, that's how you gauge how you're going. If you're bowling too straight and they [batters] keep patting it back to you, you don't really know how you're going and how you're feeling," Green said after the day's play.

"It is just the rhythm. It has been a slow start to the summer, just wanted to bowl a few overs basically. Thankfully, got a few today, I was just trying to find that rhythm. Especially that second spell, just felt the run-up was really good, trusting the front foot. My role as the fifth bowler to hold my end up... felt good rhythm today," he added.

Green was unable to provide an update on Starc's injury after he was taken to scans after leaving the field.

"I always have a think about what the captain's thinking, especially being that fifth bowler. You think 'have the main quicks had a rest yet?', and I was thinking potentially they'd bring back Starcy. We have to wait and see how he pulls up, hope he is alright," Green said.

The 23-year old recently was sold for a stunning amount of INR 17.5 crore from  in the IPL 2023 auction. When quizzed about the big sum, Green felt he hadn't done enough to earn a bidding war between MI and Delhi Capitals.

"To be fair, I think I didn't do much to kind of earn that. I just put my name into the auction, and it just happened. It doesn't change who I am or how I think and all the confidence I have in my cricket. Hopefully, I didn't change too much," Green said.