Cameron Green's beautiful act for Alex Carey after maiden Test century

Cricket fans and commentators have praised Cameron Green over the Aussie all-rounder's beautiful reaction to Alex Carey's maiden Test century. Carey became the first Aussie wicket-keeper to score a hundred in a Boxing Day Test, making 111 as Australia put South Africa to the sword on Wednesday at the MCG.

Carey's ton was the first by an Aussie wicket-keeper in a Test match since Brad Haddin in 2013, and just the second in history at the MCG (after Rod Marsh in 1977). However he might not have reached triple figures if not for a courageous display from teammate Green.

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The all-rounder came back out to bat on Wednesday despite suffering a broken finger on Tuesday that has already ruled him out of the Sydney Test and remainder of the summer. Green made 51 not out and combined with Carey for a 112-run partnership that allowed the wicket-keeper to reach triple figures for the first time in his Test career.

Green was seen raising his arms in triumph after Carey stroked the ball through the off-side field to bring up his hundred, before wrapping his arms around his teammates in a touching embrace. "Everyone needs a Cam Green to play sport with,” Mark Howard said on Fox Cricket. “I thought that was a fantastic representation of what that young man is all about.

“It’s a real warm embrace. And I’m sure [his own Test century] is not too far away for him either. Five wickets in the first innings and he batted beautifully today under duress.”

Kerry O'Keeffe said Green's reaction was "one reason he is so popular within that side. He celebrated as hard as Carey did when it was his partner who got the hundred, that’s a tremendous reaction from the non-striker.”

Alex Carey pays tribute to Cameron Green

Speaking after stumps on day three, Carey paid tribute to Green for his courageous knock. He said: "I actually didn't think he was going to walk out today. But to see him put on a brave face, bat beautifully and allow me at the other end to bat as well, [it] allowed us to put on a really good partnership.

"I think we ebb and flow at times really well. Today it was probably on me to score a bit [and] more on him to grit through, and he did that amazingly. I don't really know how to explain it. I think just with certain guys, you have that calmness and confidence. It's been fun so far, and hopefully [we will have] a few more big partnerships."

Carey said he was moved by Green's reaction to his century. “It was really special and he was the guy I wanted out there at that stage. To see him throw his arms out, it meant a lot to me,” he said.

“We’ve formed a really good relationship on the field but also off the field, so to have him out there was a really special moment. We’ve spoken a lot about it and we love batting together so hopefully a few more partnerships like that.”

Carey and Green's partnership helped Australia take a 386-run lead into the second innings after Pat Cummins declared at 8-575 - the sixth-highest team total ever at the MCG. Cummins then dismissed Dean Elgar for a duck to leave South Africa 1-15 at stumps and still 371 runs in arrears.

It didn't get much better for South Africa on Thursday, with Australia bowling the tourists out for 204 to claim victory by an innings and 182 runs. The win sees Australia go up 2-0, securing their first series victory over South Africa on home soil for 17 years.

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