Cameron Green for Australia (Source: AFP Photos)Australia will most likely not get the services of Cameron Green when they play South Africa on Friday (October 9) in the first Test of the three-match series at Kingsmead, Durban.The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported that Green was not involved during Australia’s two-day warm-up game in Potchefstroom, and the reason was solely due to the abdominal strain he had sustained during the South Africa vs Australia 3rd ODI.Cooper Connolly Frontrunner To Replace Cameron GreenThe SMH report further suggested that Cooper Connolly, already in Australia’s squad for South Africa Tests, is expected to replace Green in the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test.Connolly has been rising through the ranks for Australia across formats, so he will likely be picked ahead of the likes of Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper. However, either Maddinson or Harper could still play in the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test, since Josh Inglis will not be in action.While explaining what happened to Green, SMH added, "While selectors are yet to formally rule a line through Green for the first Test, his lack of physical activity in Potchefstroom around Australia’s warm-up game on Sunday strongly suggests he will need to set his sights on the second or third games of the series.Also Read: Josh Hazlewood's Test Spot In Doubt As Australia Mull Strategic Switch In South Africa"He was restricted to physical conditioning work and did not bat, bowl or field," it added.How Has Green Fared Before Injury?Cameron Green was not at his usual best of late. He had the scores of 5, 17 and 23 in the recent South Africa vs Australia ODIs, and did not take the ball in hand either.However, when it comes to Tests, Green’s numbers are more than decent in 2026. He averages 60.75 this calendar year, scoring 243 runs across five innings.Green’s record against South Africa in Tests, however, is yet to improve. At this point, he averages 24.33 after 5 innings, that too included an unbeaten 51.Also Read: India Squad For Hong Kong Sixes 2026 Announced; Bhuvneshwar Kumar To Captain
