NEW DELHI, April ⁠10 (Reuters) - Cameron Green made his much-anticipated return to the bowling crease ⁠on Thursday, but the Australia all-rounder was unable to help Kolkata Knight ‌Riders snap out of their winless run in the Indian Premier League.

Green, who became the IPL's most expensive overseas recruit when Kolkata paid $2.77 million for his services, played their first three matches ​of the season solely as a batterwhile completing ⁠his recovery from a lower back ⁠injury.

After contributing an unbeaten 32 in Kolkata's 181-4 against Lucknow Super Giants, the ⁠sight ‌of Green loosening up drew cheers from a sparse Eden Gardens crowd.

Handed the ball in the ninth over, he removed Lucknow captain Rishabh ⁠Pant with his second delivery, but the over cost ​12 and he was ‌taken out of the attack.

The 26-year-old returned for the penultimate over with ⁠Lucknow needing 30 ​off 12 balls but was milked for 16 by Mukul Choudhary, who finished 54 not out off 27 balls.

Lucknow sealed victory with the last ball, leaving two-times champions Kolkata ⁠without a win after four matches. Their only ​point came from a washout against Punjab Kings.

Kolkata batter Rovman Powell remained optimistic.