Cameron Green has battled his way to a vital century against New Zealand on the opening day of the first Test, as the Kiwi bowling attack threatened to skittle the Aussies during their first Test match across the ditch since 2016.
The West Australian, who was under pressure entering into the two-match series, finished on 103 not out as the tourists reached 9-279 at stumps in Wellington.
Cameron Green century saves Australia during tough first day of Test match against New Zealand
"Obviously, that feels really good," Green told TVNZ+ post-match. "It was a pretty tough wicket out there and I felt like the boys played pretty well. Just one of those days."
MORE: Should Australia drop Steve Smith from T20I squad?
Green managed to race to his second Test century after initially toiling to a gritty 50. He then accelerated his run rate late in the day to bast his second fifty in just 46 deliveries.
Green’s full array of shots was on show during the brilliant counterattacking knock, which saw him hit 16 boundaries.
"Someone just needed to bat through so glad it was me," Green continued
"It was nice to stick out there and hopefully put a semi-competitive total on the board."
Green repaying the faith placed in him by the selectors by bailing out the tourists just as the home side appeared set to remove them within two sessions.
Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith got Australia off to a decent start at the Basin Reserve after Tim Southee had won the toss and elected to bowl.
The new duo pieced together a shaky 61-run partnership to frustrate the Kiwis in the opening exchanges of the day.
However, Matt Henry then produced a brutal spell to remove both of the openers and leave the Aussies in disarray as they slumped to 4-89.
Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head were both being sent back to the pavilion after scoring just one run apiece.
Yet Green then strode out to the crease at No.4 and immediately started to rebuild his side’s innings as he combined with Mitch Marsh (40 off 39 balls) to fend off a Kiwi onslaught.
The duo combined for a 67-run partnership before Marsh top-edged a pull shot to expose the Aussie tail.
Alex Carey and Mitch Starc came and went, while skipper Pat Cummins provided a brief yet entertaining cameo laden with a few sixes as Green continued to motor at the other end.
The 24-year-old creamed three fours in the final over of the day to avoid having to head off and wait overnight for the chance to record his second Test ton.
Cameron Green stats: All-rounder cements spot in Aussie side
Green did most of the damage during an absorbing third session as the Aussies piled on 132 runs to finish arguably as the happier of the two sides during a compelling contest.
"That is his first hundred batting at No.4 for Australia," Brendon Julian said on Fox Cricket.
"There were plenty of questions marks...but he walks up and gets it done for Australia. What an innings!
"This is a guy who lost his spot to Mitch Marsh...and all of a sudden he is back in the team, given another chance, and hasn't he grabbed it."
Green finished unbeaten on 103 off 155 deliveries with Josh Hazlewood to re-join him out in the middle on day two.
The vital knock comes off the back of a difficult period for Green, who struggled in his first two appearances at No.4 against the West Indies on home soil.
The ton came in his 27th Test, with the all-rounder surpassing the 1,200-run mark to be sitting on an average of 32.