Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will miss the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against India after sustaining a minor side strain. In a swift move, the in-form Marnus Labuschagne has been named as his replacement. Cricket Australia is adopting a highly cautious approach, particularly with the prestigious Ashes series just around the corner.
Cameron Green has been ruled of the India ODI series. (File photo)
Green felt discomfort during a training session earlier this week, ahead of the first ODI scheduled for Sunday. The 26-year-old is now expected to make his return to competitive cricket in Western Australia’s next Sheffield Shield match, slated for October 28.
Cricket Australia released an official statement confirming the situation: “Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes.”
This setback for Green is a cause for concern, with the Ashes series opener against England looming just five weeks away. Compounding the situation, Australia is already grappling with uncertainty surrounding captain Pat Cummins, who is currently recovering from a lumbar back stress injury.
Green had only recently resumed bowling in competitive cricket, having delivered a spell of 1-13 from four overs during Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield match against NSW last week. This marked his first bowling appearance since undergoing spinal surgery last October.
The current side soreness represents a new hurdle in Green’s carefully managed return to full fitness post-back operation, where doctors performed a fusion of his L4 vertebrae. Importantly, the team has confirmed that this latest injury is unrelated to his previous surgery.
Labuschagne’s inclusion comes on the back of a series of impressive performances, including four centuries in the domestic season for Queensland. His teammate Matthew Renshaw spoke highly of Labuschagne’s current form, stating, “He’s just so on, peak Marnus. It’s really good to see, and it’s good that the work he’s done in the off-season is working out for him now… he’s (only) missed out once (this season).”
The Australian squad for the India series has seen multiple adjustments. Josh Philippe will step in for wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who is sidelined with a calf strain, while Matthew Kuhnemann replaces Adam Zampa, who will miss the match for personal reasons.
Labuschagne’s recent explosive form, highlighted by two one-day centuries—130 against Victoria and 105 against Tasmania—and a latest score of 159 at Adelaide Oval in the Sheffield Shield, strongly positions him for immediate selection in the playing XI.
Green’s absence might also pave the way for Matthew Renshaw to potentially make his debut at No. 4, a position where he boasts an impressive average of 50 with a strike rate exceeding 100 over the last four One-Day Cup seasons.
The Australian team management continues to prioritize player well-being and recovery, a critical focus with the pivotal Ashes series on the horizon. Other players currently managing injuries include Sean Abbott (hand injury) and Brendan Doggett (hamstring issue).
Jhye Richardson, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, displayed encouraging signs by bowling a prolonged spell during the ODI squad’s first training session in Perth on Thursday. Green himself had opted out of the T20 tour of New Zealand earlier to concentrate on Sheffield Shield cricket as part of his Ashes preparations.
Australia vs India ODIs 2025
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc. Game two onwards: Adam Zampa, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis
India squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal