Cameron Green ruled out of first Test in Durban and unlikely to bowl in South Africa series

Cameron Green has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa in Durban after failing to overcome an abdominal strain, Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed on Tuesday.

"He won’t be available for the first Test match," McDonald said of Green.

Green suffered the abdominal strain in the final ODI last week, having earlier managed a shoulder problem that prevented him bowling in the white-ball matches; a planned return to bowling in the final ODI was aborted. The injury comes after Green had appeared to regain form with a century against Bangladesh in Darwin in August. His absence forces Australia to consider alternatives at No 5, with Cooper Connolly or Nic Maddinson in contention while Travis Head is set to remain as an opener and Alex Carey at No 6.

McDonald outlined the recovery process and maintained cautious optimism about Green’s involvement later in the tour. "He is progressing pretty well, all things considered ... He is still here for a reason, so there is some light at the end of the tunnel. "It will just be a matter of going through the rehab, he has a pretty demanding week as he reintroduced some activities. It’s a bit of an unknown, but there is still optimism that he will take part in the series at some stage."

On Green’s bowling prospects McDonald was clear about risk management. "It’s highly unlikely [he’ll bowl in this series]," McDonald said. "With where he was with his shoulder injury, he missed a fair bit of work there. "We would be solely focused on getting him to return as a batter, we wouldn’t be putting that demand on him to return as a bowler. That would be too high risk is the information I have."

The coaching staff must decide between Cooper Connolly and Nic Maddinson for the No 5 role. Maddinson has not played a Test for Australia since 2016 and was a surprise inclusion in the squad last week after Josh Inglis suffered a fractured finger.

Selectors are also assessing conditions in Durban, where a dry Kingsmead surface could push them towards picking Connolly with an expectation the wicket will turn later in the match. Matt Kuhnemann is touring as a second spinner but it would appear unlikely Australia will select him ahead of one of their three frontline quicks.

Green’s absence increases the chances of Beau Webster retaining a role as the fourth seamer. Webster played in the last three Tests batting at No 7, and while there is a possibility the tourists could opt for two frontline spinners, that option appears unlikely.

Australia must finalise their XI for the first Test in Durban, settling the No 5 decision between Connolly and Maddinson and determining whether to include a second specialist spinner or retain a fourth seamer.