Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to miss the first Test match against South Africa due to an abdominal ailment, which would be another setback to the tourists ahead of the series opener.
Cameron Green is expected to miss the first Test match against South Africa
During last month’s third ODI against South Africa, Cameron Green sustained the injury while attempting a hook shot. The 27-year-old has been fighting against time to recover in time for the Test series even though the game was a dead rubber.
Cameron Green, however, was only observed performing some light physical conditioning away from the main training group and did not participate in Australia’s two-day warm-up game in Potchefstroom. Although he hasn’t been formally ruled out of the Kingsmead Test, there are indications that Australia may consider bringing him back in the second or third Test.
For the past three series, the all-rounder has also had to deal with a shoulder problem that has interfered with his bowling. As the Australian selectors attempt to resolve their batting combination against South Africa’s fearsome pace attack, his most recent stomach issue may now affect his batting, bowling, and fielding.
Alongside Steve Smith, Cameron Green was one of Australia’s best hitters in the two-match series and recently struck a Test century in a losing effort against Bangladesh in Darwin.
Cooper Connolly, a teammate from Western Australia, might get a chance since Green might not be available. After making his debut in Sri Lanka early last year, the spinning all-rounder is now strongly in the running for his second Test match.
Last week, Australia recruited 34-year-old Nic Maddinson and wicketkeeper Sam Harper to the team as injury replacements. Maddinson hasn’t played Test cricket in almost ten years and hasn’t played red-ball cricket in eighteen months, so picking him would be a risky decision.
Mitchell Johnson, a former fast bowler for Australia, questioned Maddinson’s inclusion as well. Johnson described the choice as “difficult to justify” in an article for The West Australian.
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“Matthew Renshaw or Cooper Connolly should continue to be ahead of Maddinson if Cam Green is not available. They need to have a more obvious place in the selection order because they were part of the original squad, he wrote.
The quality of the Kingsmead surface may determine Connolly’s prospects. Expectations of a spin-friendly track in Durban may help the left-arm spinner and his batting, therefore Australia may hold off on making a decision until the pitch is revealed.
Beau Webster’s spot in Australia’s starting lineup for the first Test would also be confirmed by Cameron Green’s absence.
