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AAP
Scott Bailey

Green proves his Test worth in just 0.74 seconds

Cameron Green (centre) is congratulated after his gully catch to dismiss Tagenarine Chanderpaul. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

It took Cameron Green 0.74 seconds to show why selectors were so desperate to get cricket's triple threat back in Australia's Test team.

Dropped during the Ashes and a contentious winner of the race to replace David Warner, Green produced the headline act to complete Australia's first wicket of the Frank Worrell Trophy on Wednesday.

After Pat Cummins tied up Tagenarine Chanderpaul with three inswingers, he drew the outside edge with a fuller, wider ball that swung away from the left-hander.

It flew to Green at gully, with the tall allrounder getting both arms in the air and securing the ball in his right hand.

Broadcasters clocked the time from bat to Green's hand at a touch under three-quarters of a second.

It was the kind of catch only the game's elite fielders would have been able to turn into a chance, let alone grasp it cleanly.

But for Green it is becoming customary.

Another catch came later in the innings, again flying off Kavem Hodge's bat only for Green to make it look easy.

Former coach Justin Langer suggested in commentary Green could be Australia's greatest ever gully fielder.

"I just can't remember anyone as consistently brilliant as Cameron Green in that position," Langer said.

"We have seen him take them on both sides of his body, above his head and down low. He's an exceptional gully fieldsman."

Green's selection was always going to be controversial, criticised by those who believe Cameron Bancroft should have replaced Warner.

Bancroft's runs in the Sheffield Shield over the past 18 months have made a compelling case for a recall, as was the argument against disturbing the top order by moving Steve Smith to open to allow Green to bat at No.4.

But it's also understandable why selectors George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and Andrew McDonald want Green in the team.

They believe he is in the best six batsmen in the country, pointing back to previous returns in Sheffield Shield at No.4 for Western Australia.

The allrounder went to stumps not out on six on Wednesday, with Australia 2-59 in reply to West Indies' 188.

Then there is the 24-year-old's bowling.

While Green was only required to send down four overs on Wednesday, there is a thought he and Mitch Marsh's inclusion in the team will help keep the frontline quicks on the park.

But the real lure with Green is the knowledge the West Australian is a generational talent who just has to be in the Test side.

And in 0.74 seconds on Wednesday morning, Green reminded everyone why.

"Visually when you're running in, having Greeny at gully, it just looks like everything from third slip to point is going to get caught or stopped," Hazlewood said.

"It's a nice feeling."

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