Green in doubt for Australia’s Durban Test opener

Cameron Green is at serious risk of missing Australia’s first Test against South Africa, scheduled to begin October 9 in Durban, after an abdominal strain limited him to light conditioning during the team’s warm-up in Potchefstroom. Australia had not officially ruled out the all-rounder as of October 5, and his availability for the opener remained unresolved. Green sustained the injury while attempting a hook shot in the third one-day international against South Africa. He did not bat, bowl or field in the warm-up match, according to reports, and was restricted to physical conditioning away from the main group. The strain could affect his batting, bowling and fielding, adding to a shoulder problem that had limited his bowling workload. Reports said Green was likely to target a return for the second or third Test, but no recovery timetable or formal decision had been announced. Australia’s selectors therefore faced uncertainty over the balance of the side ahead of the series opener. If Green is unavailable, Cooper Connolly is among the players in contention for a place in the middle order. The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder made his Test debut in Sri Lanka in 2025.