Cameron Green ruled out of first Test against South Africa with abdominal strain
Cameron Green is set to miss Australia's first Test against South Africa after failing to recover from an abdominal strain sustained in the ODI series.
Australia fast-bowling allrounder Cameron Green is unlikely to play in the first Test against hosts South Africa starting on October 9 at Kingsmead. The abdominal strain that he picked up during the third ODI against the same opposition last month does not appear to have healed completely.
Green did not play in the two-day warm-up against Cricket South Africa Invitation XI that ended in a draw on Sunday. He was not seen training either. In case he does not play, one of Cooper Connolly and Matthew Renshaw can get a game. Connolly can also bowl spin, and that gives him the edge.
Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson believes either Renshaw or Connolly should play since they have the right of way, having been chosen as main players in the squad, not as injury covers.
CricHubb Take
Green's absence forces Australia to accelerate Connolly's development. The series becomes a test of whether the 22-year-old can translate domestic promise into Test impact under pressure.