The injury curse that has struck Australia in its tour of South Africa has worsened with all-rounder Cameron Green under a cloud ahead of the first Test beginning next Friday.
Green, who banished questions about his spot in the Australian team with a superb century in Darwin against Bangladesh, suffered an abdominal strain in an ODI game on Wednesday.
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While there have been concerns over Green’s shoulder, Cricket Australia said in a statement on Thursday night that the latest injury occurred while he was fielding in the Australian win in Potchefstroom.
He will be assessed over the next week to see whether he is fit for the first Test in Durban in what is a highly anticipated series given it is Australia’s first in South Africa since the Sandpapergate scandal in 2018.
Matt Renshaw has been cleared of injury and will open the batting against South Africa.
With Australia already forced to find a replacement for Josh Inglis, who suffered a broken finger earlier in the ODI series, the concern surrounding Green is another blow.
The Australians have called in Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper, who performed superbly for Australia A in a match against India A earlier this week, and Nic Maddinson for cover.
Harper, 29, has enjoyed a meteoric rise from domestic ranks, with his 667 runs for Victoria in the most recent Sheffield Shield season catching the eyes of national selectors.
Maddinson identified himself as a potential star a decade ago but failed to make an impact in three Tests against South Africa and Pakistan before being dropped.
The 34-year-old, who overcame testicular cancer a couple of years ago, has performed solidly in domestic ranks in recent seasons and captains New South Wales.
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“Sam gives us wicketkeeping cover as Josh continues his recovery while Nic provides flexibility throughout the batting order,” Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
Maddinson made 126 for New South Wales against Victoria in an one-day cup match last week.
