Green a Doubt for Gqeberha as Australia Get Mixed Injury News Before Second Test
GQEBERHA: Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has said Cameron Green is not guaranteed to return from injury for the second ICC World Test Championship Test against South Africa, which begins at St George’s Park on Sunday.
Green, 27, has been recovering from an abdominal injury that ruled him out of the series opener in Durban, where Australia completed a commanding 214-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The camp had hoped the all-rounder would be available for the second Test, but McDonald made clear that Green must clear several fitness tests first.
The Australia vs South Africa second Test carries extra weight for the visitors. A win in Gqeberha would seal the series with a game to spare and bank valuable World Test Championship points early in the cycle.
Australia vs South Africa second Test: Green’s fitness race
McDonald struck a cautious note on the all-rounder’s chances. “Green is progressing well. He has a few things to go through over the next three or four days,” the coach said. He added that soft-tissue injuries can turn quickly once a player is back in full training.
The concern for Australia is balance. Without Green, the selectors had to juggle the batting order in Durban, and losing him for a second straight Test would force another reshuffle.
Better news on Inglis
There was more encouragement around Josh Inglis. The back-up wicketkeeper missed the first Test after sustaining a finger injury during last month’s ODI series against South Africa, but his recovery is tracking well.
McDonald revealed that Inglis had come through net sessions without trouble. “Josh had a couple of hits in the nets during lunchtime on the back of this Test match, and that went well,” he said. The next step is bat-versus-ball work in Gqeberha, with the medical team watching how the finger copes with the splint.
Inglis had fractured the finger while keeping wicket in the first ODI in Durban late last month and briefly returned home for treatment. Scans showed no need for surgery, and he rejoined the squad ahead of the second Test.
Related: Renshaw, Cummins rescue Australia in first Test against South Africa
Selection headaches after the Durban shuffle
Inglis’s absence had already forced Australia into uncomfortable choices for the opener. Sam Harper was called up as wicketkeeping cover, while Nic Maddinson earned a surprise recall after more than nine years away from the Test side. Maddinson opened in Durban and fell for a 33-ball duck, the longest duck by an Australian opener in Tests.
Matt Renshaw was pushed down to number five and responded with a match-shaping century that steadied Australia from a precarious position, underlining how thin the margins have been for the selectors this tour.
All-rounder Cooper Connolly could also come into contention for Gqeberha after missing the Durban Test with a head cold in the lead-up.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Australia vs South Africa second Test?
The second Test starts on Sunday, 18 October at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after their 214-run win in Durban.
Will Cameron Green play the second Test?
Not guaranteed. Coach Andrew McDonald says Green, 27, must pass fitness assessments over the next three to four days as he recovers from an abdominal injury.
What is the latest on Josh Inglis?
Inglis is progressing well from the finger injury he suffered in the ODI series. He has batted in the nets without trouble and will face bat-versus-ball sessions in Gqeberha before a final call is made.
Who replaced Inglis in the first Test?
Sam Harper joined as wicketkeeping cover and Nic Maddinson was recalled after nine years, with Matt Renshaw moving down to number five, where he scored a century.
