MOHALI: With the T20 World Cup at home less than a month away, Cameron Green, the "Player of the Match" in the opening T20I against India, said it was wonderful to be thrown into the deep end. He added that with skipper Aaron Finch batting with him at the top, it gave him the confidence to bat freely.

India produced 208/6 in the allowed 20 overs at the PCA Stadium on Tuesday night. Green, 23, who was playing in only his second T20I, scored a critical wicket of Suryakumar Yadav just as the Indian was about to lose control.
The towering all-rounder got Australia off to the right start in their pursuit of the massive score, and Matthew Wade (45 not out off 21 balls) completed the job with four deliveries left to spare, giving the visitors a 1-0 series advantage.

According to Green, who is being hailed as the upcoming big star in white-ball cricket, "Although I was somewhat pushed into the deep end, it was enjoyable to bat alongside (Aaron) Finchy. He is an accomplished politician who keeps you composed throughout. It was a bit pleasant. The luxury of seeing the Indians bat was available to us "Green remarked.

Green surprised India by launching eight boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of over 203 while playing as an opener in professional cricket at the time. He did this to make up for the terrible final over he bowled to Hardik Pandya.

Pandya hit Green for three consecutive sixes. Green said on Pandya's batting, "Hardik performed superbly. He must be the world's best at what he does. Looking at the T20 World Cup kind of provided us an idea of how to go about it." According to Australia's captain Finch, the dew factor and his team's decision to bat second while chasing a high total helped them win.

"A nice contest was held. The dew undoubtedly helped us at the finish. We've formed some very great collaborations. I think it was great how all of our players simply went after their opponents, really took it on, and tried to reverse the game's flow. Right now, that's all we're after."

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