Cameron Green is racing against time to be fit for the second Test against South Africa. The Australian all-rounder hasn’t started batting yet after an abdominal injury in the final ODI last month. However, there’s some optimism about his involvement in the series; though, as coach Andrew McDonald noted, Green is unlikely to bowl even if he returns as a batter.
“I think Green’s progressing well,” McDonald commented following Australia’s win in Durban. “He has a few steps to complete in the next few days, and after a soft tissue injury, things can progress quickly.”
In better news, Josh Inglis resumed net practice with the squad after recovering from a fractured finger in the first ODI. He plans to ramp up his training intensity in Gqeberha starting Thursday. Sam Harper remains with the team as a secondary wicketkeeping option. “Josh had a few practice sessions, and it’s about getting comfortable with the splint,” added McDonald. “He’ll have further sessions in PE [Gqeberha].”
Should Green become available in Gqeberha or Cape Town, the middle order might see a shuffle, possibly putting pressure on Beau Webster to retain his place. Green was Australia’s standout performer in the prior Bangladesh series. His absence led to a restructured batting line-up in Durban, where Matt Renshaw moved to No. 5 and Nic Maddinson opened with Travis Head. This change, influenced by Pat Cummins, led to Renshaw’s remarkable 272 runs and two wickets across the match.
Reflecting on the strategic decisions, McDonald noted, “We re-evaluated all options and decided what was best in the current moment. The players embraced the roles we strategised, leading to a Test victory.”
Echoing McDonald’s views, Cummins shared the need for flexibility rather than fixed roles, stating, “Externally, people might want rigid orderings, but we’re open to adaptable approaches depending on conditions.”
Despite the strong start in Durban, unless Green’s ready for the second Test, Australia’s line-up changes might remain minimal, barring any fast bowlers experiencing discomfort in the four-day turnaround before Cape Town. The workload at Kingsmead was shared: Mitchell Starc bowled 33 overs, Josh Hazlewood 32.5, and Cummins 29, supported effectively by Nathan Lyon’s control and precise fielding. In the squad, Scott Boland and Michael Neser are options for pace support.
McDonald concluded, “In the next days, we’ll evaluate everyone’s condition. Our SSSM [sports science sports medicine] team is invaluable, especially for managing our aging fast bowlers, who put great effort into staying match-ready.”
