Green won't play in the ODI series against India due to side pain; Labuschagne has been called up

Green won't play in the ODI series against India due to side pain; Labuschagne has been called up

India vs Australia: Cameron Green to miss the India ODIs due to injury, with top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne named as his replacement.

Australia have been dealt another injury setback ahead of their ODI series against India, with all-rounder Cameron Green ruled out due to low-grade side soreness. The timing is particularly concerning, as Green was expected to play a key role in the upcoming Ashes series. His absence adds to a growing list of unavailable players, leaving Australia’s squad stretched thin.

Green, 26, was officially withdrawn from the ODI squad on Friday. In his place, Marnus Labuschagne has been recalled and will join the team in Perth after completing his Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide. Labuschagne’s return comes after a strong run of domestic form, including a recent knock of 159—his fourth century in five innings.

Green had only recently resumed competitive bowling after undergoing back surgery the previous year. He skipped the T20I tour of New Zealand to focus on red-ball cricket, playing for Western Australia in the opening Shield round against New South Wales. Although he was scheduled to bowl eight overs, Cricket Australia’s medical team limited him to just four, and he wasn’t allowed to bowl on consecutive days due to recovery protocols.

Initially, Green wasn’t expected to bowl in the first two ODIs against India, but he was gradually building up his bowling workload with an eye on the third Shield round starting October 28. He was already set to miss the third ODI in Sydney and the T20I series that follows, prioritizing red-ball preparation for the Ashes. However, soreness after a training session this week has forced a change in plans. Green will now undergo a short rehabilitation period, with hopes of returning for Western Australia’s next Shield match against South Australia at the WACA in 11 days.

This injury raises concerns for Australia’s Ashes campaign. The team had been counting on Green to be fully fit and unrestricted in his bowling. Adding to the worry, Test captain Pat Cummins recently admitted he’s “less likely than likely” to play in the first Ashes Test, which begins November 21 in Perth. Australia’s other Test allrounder, Beau Webster, is also nursing an injury he rolled his ankle at training and missed Tasmania’s first two Shield matches. However, he’s expected to be fit for their next game on October 28.

Green’s absence further weakens Australia’s ODI lineup. He was in top form during his last ODI outing, scoring a blistering 118 not out off 55 balls against South Africa in August. The team is already without Cummins for the entire India series, while wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will miss at least the first two ODIs due to a calf strain.

Other key players are also unavailable for the opening match in Perth. Adam Zampa is staying home in northern New South Wales to be with his pregnant wife, and Alex Carey is skipping the first ODI to play Shield cricket in Adelaide as part of his Ashes preparation. Carey is normally Australia’s backup wicketkeeper and a regular in the ODI XI.

Labuschagne’s recall adds some stability to the squad. Despite being dropped earlier due to a lean patch, he has bounced back strongly in the One-Day Cup, scoring 130 off 118 against Victoria and 105 off 91 against Tasmania. His current form makes him a valuable addition as Australia reshuffles its lineup amid a wave of injuries and absences.