Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has admitted he was surprised by how quickly he has bounced back from an abdominal muscle tear, adding the he is now available for selection for the third and final Test against South Africa, with the series currently locked at 1-1. But Green, 27, trained in the nets ahead of the series decider at the Newlands Cricket Ground and is now in contention for selection for the match starting on Tuesday.
Green picked up the injury during the ODI series between the two sides and has been sidelined since then.
Australia won the opening Test by 214 runs in Durban before South Africa bounced back in the second game in Gqeberha to win by an innings and 31 runs. Green was part of the Australian side that lost to South Africa in last year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, where he batted at number three, and said the experience had taught him plenty about the challenge posed by the Proteas fast bowling attack. “It’s quite a unique injury. There are not many people that have done the injury and then tried to play a few weeks later. “Obviously they’re such a quality bowling line-up that you’ve got to be on your game at all times to succeed against them, regardless of where you bat. But certainly up the top of the order is incredibly difficult – their opening bowlers are so great with the new ball, you’ve got to work really hard, especially at the start,” he added.
The (medical staff) didn’t have much to go off … (but) it’s all good to go for the last game,” Green was quoted as saying by the ICC on Sunday.
“I’ve had a lot of experience up and down the order. I think I’m well suited at four and five. Obviously we’ve had some pretty incredible cricketers in those positions. So I’m very happy to move up and down the order depending on what the team wants,” he added.
