Australia all-rounder Cameron Green will miss the first Test against South Africa after failing to recover from an abdominal strain, coach Andrew McDonald confirmed on Tuesday.
How the Injury Happened
Green was hurt during the third and final one-day international against South Africa in Potchefstroom last Wednesday, when he was struck in the stomach by a full toss from home bowler Corbin Bosch while attempting a hook shot. He remains in contention for the second Test in Gqeberha and the last in Cape Town later this month.
"He's progressing pretty well, all things considered, on the back of the injury that he had to his abdominals," McDonald told a press conference, adding that the medical team was optimistic Green could take part in the series at some stage as he works through rehabilitation.
A Blow to Australia's Plans
Green's participation in the first Test at Kingsmead, which begins on Friday, had been in doubt ever since he missed Australia's two-day warm-up match against a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI over the weekend. His absence is a setback, as he is considered one of the form players in the touring party, especially after scoring his first home Test century during Australia's shock loss to Bangladesh in Darwin in August.
The 23-year-old Cooper Connolly could now be in line for a second Test appearance after his February debut in Galle against Sri Lanka. The 27-year-old Green had started the tour of southern Africa with a sore shoulder that kept him out of the three ODIs against Zimbabwe in Harare last month, though he did play in the three ODIs against South Africa.
Sources:
Australia to miss injured all-rounder Green for first test - Reuters
How the Injury Happened
Green was hurt during the third and final one-day international against South Africa in Potchefstroom last Wednesday, when he was struck in the stomach by a full toss from home bowler Corbin Bosch while attempting a hook shot. He remains in contention for the second Test in Gqeberha and the last in Cape Town later this month.
"He's progressing pretty well, all things considered, on the back of the injury that he had to his abdominals," McDonald told a press conference, adding that the medical team was optimistic Green could take part in the series at some stage as he works through rehabilitation.
A Blow to Australia's Plans
Green's participation in the first Test at Kingsmead, which begins on Friday, had been in doubt ever since he missed Australia's two-day warm-up match against a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI over the weekend. His absence is a setback, as he is considered one of the form players in the touring party, especially after scoring his first home Test century during Australia's shock loss to Bangladesh in Darwin in August.
The 23-year-old Cooper Connolly could now be in line for a second Test appearance after his February debut in Galle against Sri Lanka. The 27-year-old Green had started the tour of southern Africa with a sore shoulder that kept him out of the three ODIs against Zimbabwe in Harare last month, though he did play in the three ODIs against South Africa.
Sources:
Australia to miss injured all-rounder Green for first test - Reuters