Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the opening Test against South Africa in Durban, with head coach Andrew McDonald confirming the development. Green suffered an abdominal injury while batting during Australia’s third ODI against South Africa in Potchefstroom last week. That setback forced him to sit out the subsequent two-day tour game as the Australian medical team continued to monitor his recovery.
“He's progressing pretty well, all things considered, on the back of the injury that he had to his abdominal. So he's still here for a reason, so that there is some light at the end of the tunnel,” McDonald said.
Australia remain hopeful that Green can make enough progress to return later in the series. McDonald hinted that Green could take part in some net sessions during the Test as he works towards regaining full fitness.
"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, and you'll see that probably play out in the net situation during lunchtime in and around the game. So yeah, it's a bit of an unknown, but there's still optimism that he will take part in the series at some stage," McDonald stated.
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