Australia name replacement at No 5 after Green ruled out of first Test
Green ruled out of first Test with abdominal strain; Maddinson or Connolly in contention at No 5.
Australia have lost all-rounder Cameron Green for the first Test against South Africa after he failed to recover from an abdominal strain. Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the injury on Tuesday in Durban. Green had already been managing a shoulder problem and will not bowl in the series.
Nic Maddinson and Cooper Connolly are the two candidates to bat at No 5, with Travis Head remaining at the top and Alex Carey at No 6. Maddinson has not played a Test since 2016 but was added to the squad after Josh Inglis fractured a finger. Australia must also decide whether the dry Kingsmead surface warrants a second spinner alongside Matt Kuhnemann.
Green's absence increases the likelihood that Beau Webster will retain his place as a fourth seamer after appearing in the last three Tests at No 7.
CricHubb Take
Green's dual shoulder and abdominal issues expose Australia's thin seam-bowling depth and force a batting reshuffle at a ground that traditionally rewards early swing.