Injury Scares for Green and Renshaw Cast Shadow Over Australia’s Test Build-Up

All-rounder Cameron Green and batter Matt Renshaw both suffered injury scares during Australia’s final ODI against South Africa, raising concerns just over a week before the Test series begins in Durban.

Green was struck in the groin while batting and appeared in further discomfort two balls later when swinging at the delivery that dismissed him. He had been scheduled to bowl for the first time on tour—having managed a shoulder issue—but did not take the field during South Africa’s innings.

Renshaw sustained a nasty blow to his right wrist while fielding at short square leg off Adam Zampa in the 14th over. A powerful pull shot from Ryan Rickelton deflected into his wrist, forcing him from the field at the over’s end; he did not return before rain prematurely ended the match.

The setbacks compound an already depleted touring party. With Josh Inglis (broken finger), Nathan Ellis (side strain), Jack Edwards (hamstring), and Joel Davies (hamstring) all sidelined, Australia had just 12 fit players available. Stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh was forced to deploy Test specialists Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster as substitute fielders, while Josh Hazlewood was rested ahead of the red-ball series.

Speaking after the match, Marsh said he had not yet spoken to either player but remained optimistic regarding their availability for the first Test, starting October 9.

“I haven’t spoken to them yet, but hopefully both okay,” Marsh said. “[Green was] locked in to bowl a few overs today. He had a nice build, and it would have been nice for him to have a bowl. But yeah, it wasn’t meant to be, and I’m sure that it won’t affect his prep too much, hopefully.”

Inglis remains in Australia recovering from the fractured finger sustained in the opening ODI. Selectors have not ruled him out of the Test series, though no replacement keeper has been added with eight days remaining until the first Test. Australia requires a backup wicketkeeper should Alex Carey suffer a late injury or concussion; Inglis is also one of only two reserve batters in the squad alongside Cooper Connolly.

Meanwhile, Marsh confirmed he will return home following the ODI series, quashing recent speculation he could be added to the Test squad on the back of his white-ball form. Marsh has not played a Test since December 2024 and retired from domestic first-class cricket, though Test captain Pat Cummins recently indicated the door remains open for a return.

“Pat said the door’s open, then it’s open,” Marsh said. “I don’t think I would be good enough to retire from Test cricket.”

Having not faced more than 63 deliveries in any of his 47 List A or T20 innings since his last Sheffield Shield appearance, Marsh acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his red-ball game.

“It’s a great question,” Marsh said when asked how his Test batting would translate. “I don’t really know. I would imagine it would be similar to my white-ball game if I was to get another crack at it.”

A positive note for the tourists was Pat Cummins completing five overs unscathed in his first bowling appearance since the Mackay Test in August. Marsh retained the captaincy for the dead rubber, explaining the decision as workload management for the skipper.

“Pat is the ODI skipper, and his schedule is hectic, as we all know,” Marsh said. “So today was a case of me finishing the series. Pat hasn’t played one-day cricket for a while, and he’s got a big couple of weeks coming up. So we share the role, and as I’ve stated many times now, we’ve got a great relationship. And just even having me out there, we work so well together. And it didn’t look like he hadn’t played an ODI game for 700 days, so it was certainly nice to have him back.”

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