Injury blow for Australia, all-rounder to miss first Proteas Test
The visitors, gearing up for a much-awaited ICC World Test Championship series opener, will miss Cameron Green for the Durban Test.
Having sustained an abdominal strain during the third ODI against South Africa, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will not feature in the first of three Tests against the Proteas.
Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the status of Green's availability ahead of the much-anticipated series opener between last year’s ICC World Test Championship Finalists.
Green had finished Australia’s last Test series against Bangladesh as their leading run-getter, scoring a century and a half-century during the two matches at home.
The upcoming Test in Durban, starting 9 October, will see Australia and South Africa lock horns for the first time in the longest format of the game since the Proteas etched a historic WTC Final win at Lord’s.
South Africa beat Australia to clinch World Test Championship | Day 4 Highlights | WTC25 Final
South Africa wrapped up a historic win on Day 4 at Lord's, winning their first ICC senior men's tournament since 1998.
McDonald further confirmed that Green would not bowl this series owing to his recent shoulder issues.
"He's progressing pretty well, all things considered, on the back of the injury that he had to his abdominals," McDonald told the reporters in Durban .
"He's still here for a reason, so there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
"It'll just be a matter of going through the rehab. He's got a pretty demanding week this week as he reintroduces a few activities … It's a bit of an unknown, but there's still optimism that he'll take part in the series at some stage."
This adds to Australia's injury concerns with wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglish ruled out of the first Test last week with a fractured right index finger.
While Australia lead the current WTC Standings, South Africa occupy the second spot, with both teams in contention to make it for next year's WTC Final at The Oval.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
The hosts had recently trumped Australia 2-1 in the ODI series.
Series schedule
First Test: 9-13 October, Durban
Second Test: 18-22 October, Gqeberha
Third Test: 27-31 October, Johannesburg