Cameron Green ruled out of first South Africa-Australia Test after abdominal strain

Cameron Green has been ruled out of the first Test between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead in Durban, which begins on October 9, after sustaining an abdominal strain in the final ODI in Potchefstroom on September 30.

South Africa won the preceding three-match ODI series 2-1 in a high-scoring contest despite missing several first-choice fast bowlers, and the teams now switch to a three-match Test series. Both sides are fighting for a place in the final of the World Test Championship 2025-27. Australia last won a Test series in South Africa in 2013/14 and will seek a response following the ODI defeat.

According to Cricinfo, Green’s abdominal injury occurred during the Potchefstroom finale and ruled him out of the opening Test. Head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Green had been doubtful and said: “I hate talking about medical stuff … They said it’s a stabilising muscle, so I think that’s a better result than a rotational muscle. But I’m trying to relay that there is a path where he can play in this Test series at some point.” The all-rounder will be absent for the first match.

Sam Harper and Nic Maddinson have been added to the Australia squad as backup following Green’s setback. Harper comes into the group off a century in the unofficial Test against India A in Puducherry. The pair were included to provide cover while Green recovers.

Green had been influential in Australia’s previous Test series against Bangladesh, scoring a century in the first Test and a half-century in the second Test, which Australia won. The report noted that his unavailability will affect Australia’s balance for the initial match.

Marnus Labuschagne struck 111 off 89 balls in a warm-up game against a CSA XI in Potchefstroom, a performance the report described as good news for Australia and their fans. That innings was cited as a positive ahead of the opening Test.

Australia will be without Green for the first Test but have named Harper and Maddinson as cover, and McDonald indicated there is a path for Green to participate later in the series; the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban will be played from October 9 to 13.