Last Updated on 17 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Australia’s highly-anticipated Test series against South Africa – their first in the Rainbow nation since the infamous 2018 series – has been rocked by injury concerns.
Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green picked up injuries in the third and final ODI in Potchefstroom. Earlier in the ODIs, Josh Inglis, considered a strong chance of featuring in the Tests, suffered a fractured finger and has subsequently been ruled out.
Australia potential playing 11 for first Test against South Africa in Durban
1. Travis Head, 2. Matt Renshaw, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Cooper Connolly, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Beau Webster, 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood
According to reports, Renshaw, who copped a blow to the wrist, has been cleared to play.
However, the news is not as positive for Cameron Green. The all-rounder is likely to miss the Durban Test due to an abdominal strain he picked up attempting to pull a Corbin Bosch delivery in the final overs of Australia’s innings in the third ODI.
Should Green miss the match, it would be a blow given he found momentum at number five in Australia’s last Test series against Bangladesh in August. He struck 104 and 67 in his last two innings, with the latter being the only half-century from either team in Mackay.
One of Cooper Connolly or the recalled Nic Maddinson is likely to take Green’s place. The possibility that the Durban surface may spin could swing the ledger towards Connolly given he also bowls left-arm spin, but Maddinson’s ability against spin is a key reason for the shock selection.
Maddinson averages 47.97 against spin in First Class cricket, compared to 35.49 against pace.
“[Nic] is a strong player, a very strong player, of spin and [that’s] not to dismiss work against quick bowling,” Chair of Selectors George Bailey said last week.
“Probably from that one-day wicket and looking at their [South Africa’s] squad a little bit, I think it’s half an expectation that’s probably what we’re going to get hit with in Durban.”
Elsewhere, Marnus Labuschagne looks certain to hold his spot at number three after scoring 111 off 89 balls against the CSA Invitational XI in Potchefstroom over the weekend. It is a big series for Labuschagne, who vows to respond to the critics in the country of his birth.
“They’re criticising my performance, and I’m the one who’s allowed that; because of the lack of performance, I’ve opened myself up to criticism,” Labuschagne said, as quoted by The Age. “There’s clearly a reason why I’m still there, and I think the people who are in charge know that and know what I’ve done in the past for Australia.
“How I’ve performed the past two years is clearly not my standard and where I want to be, and I’m doing everything possible to make sure I get back there during this series in South Africa.”
On the bowling front, the “big four” of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon are expected to play with Beau Webster and potentially Cooper Connolly offering overs.
