Cameron Green ruled out of Durban opener with abdominal strain

Australia will start their Test series in South Africa without Cameron Green.

The all-rounder, picked to both bat and bowl, has been ruled out of the first Test in Durban starting on Friday with an abdominal strain, The Guardian reported.

Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the news in Durban on Tuesday, 6 October. Green picked up the injury in the final one-day international last week. One-day internationals are the 50-overs-a-side version of the game, shorter and faster than a five-day Test.

McDonald said it is highly unlikely Green will bowl at all in the three-match series. Australia will instead try to get him back as a batter only. A bowling return would be too high risk. Green had already been unable to bowl in the white-ball games because of a shoulder issue.

That hurts Australia's balance. Green gives them a genuine fifth bowling option alongside four specialist bowlers. Without him, the selectors must rethink the middle order.

Cooper Connolly and Nic Maddinson are in contention to bat at No. 5. That is a key middle-order spot, usually for a player who can rebuild an innings or attack tired bowlers. Travis Head will stay as opener at the top of the order. Alex Carey will bat at No. 6.

Maddinson has not played a Test for Australia since 2016. He was added to the squad only last week after Josh Inglis suffered a fractured finger.

Green's absence is a blow on form too. He scored a century against Bangladesh in Darwin in August. Marnus Labuschagne warmed up with a century in a low-intensity tour match before the Durban Test, ESPNcricinfo reported. Connolly had been flagged as next in line if Green failed to recover.

Beau Webster, who played Australia's last three Tests batting at No. 7, offers another seam-bowling option. Matt Kuhnemann is on tour as a second spinner behind the first-choice slow bowler.

For fans, this means a different-looking Australia in Durban. Less depth with the ball. A new face, or a very familiar one, at No. 5.

Green could still feature later in the tour. He remains in contention for the second Test in Gqeberha and the third in Cape Town, Gulf Times reported. The opener in Durban will show how much Australia miss him, Cricket.com.au noted.