Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will not play in the remainder of his team’s Test series against South Africa, and scans confirm he has broken a bone in his finger after being struck by 145km/h lightning at the MCG.
Green was the second player to retire injured in less than an hour on Tuesday, as opener David Warner was forced to retire from sheer exhaustion after hitting his double century in the Boxing Day Test.
Just a day after his first five-wicket heroics, Green replaced Warner at the crease (Warner will be next on day three) and lasted just 20 deliveries before conceding one from South African Anrich Nortje late on day two.
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‘Cooked’ Warner hits 200* then retires! | 01:54
Blood could be seen running down the knuckle of Green’s right index finger as he sought medical treatment.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that the 23-year-old had suffered a small fracture in his right index finger and although he could return to bat if necessary, he would not be pitching in South Africa’s second innings.
The team also confirmed that Green had been ruled out of the Sydney Test and the Big Bash, where he was scheduled to play for the Perth Scorchers.
That decision is intended to have Green raring to go on the tour of India, which begins in February.
“He has a small fracture to his index finger so bowling doesn’t seem like a possibility but he could be back in line to bat this morning depending on the situation and where the game takes place,” manager Andrew McDonald said in SEN.
“We’ll work our way through that.”
Australian great Adam Gilchrist said the loss of Green would change “the complexion” of the attack, given the workload they took on after a finger injury to Mitch Starc.
Starc will miss the New Year’s test match in Sydney due to his injury, sustained while attempting a catch on the MCG grounds, and briefly left the field on the first day of the Boxing Day test against South Africa.
The left setter was later seen with strong straps on the end of the middle finger of his left hand.
Starc was cleared to continue playing the Melbourne Test on Tuesday morning, with Cricket Australia revealing that his condition would be reassessed at the end of the match. He is allowed to pitch in the second inning against South Africa if necessary.
But Fox Cricket understands that the Boxing Day Test will be the last of the summer
“He’s going to play a role with both the bat and the ball throughout the course of the game,” McDonald said.
“It will be limited, it certainly won’t be as crowded as you’d like, but you’ll be able to play a part for us, so that’s a positive sign for us.
“There hasn’t been talk of an operation, so I think it’s more of a splint to do well over time.”
Starc damaged a tendon in his bowling hand, ruling him out of the third and final Test against South Africa in Sydney, which begins on 4 January.
“He will play this Test in great discomfort, but it is at least six weeks of recovery,” said cricket reporter Peter Lalor. SEN.
‘Cooked’ Warner hits 200* then retires! | 01:54
“It’s tendon damage to that middle finger, that bowling finger.”
The frustrating injury opens the door for Western Australian bowler Lance Morris to make his Test debut at the SCG next week.
Morris was quickly broken into the Australian squad before the Adelaide Test against the West Indies as injury cover, serving as a similar replacement for Starc.
The 24-year-old is the wicket-taking leader in the Sheffield Shield this season with 27 scalps at 18.40 in five matches.
However, the imminent return of Josh Hazlewood, or the turning conditions, could prevent Morris from receiving a coveted loose green at the SCG.
Andrew McDonald said Wednesday that Morris is the most likely replacement for Starc as it stands, but hinted that things could change.
“Clearly there is a role there for (Morris) if Mitchell Starc were to go down, so it may look like he will have a chance in Sydney depending on the balance of that attack,” McDonald said.
Hazlewood have missed three consecutive Tests with a lateral strain injury, but New South Welshman are expected to recover before the New Year’s game.
“If you want someone with a little bit of pace and seeing someone new then Lance Morris is there,” former England bowler Isa Guha said on Fox Cricket.
“He’s waiting on the team to come in and grab a bowl. He has quick pace, he’s been playing very well in the Sheffield Shield, most wickets this season. There is that option.
“I think maybe they will assess how the bowlers feel before the Sydney Test, because experience tells all, and Josh Hazlewood deserves his place back.”
George Bailey and the selection panel could also consider picking two spinners for the SCG Test, which hasn’t happened since Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe bowled against Pakistan in January 2017.
Queenslander Mitchell Swepson is the second starting player, having accompanied Lyon during their recent tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
However, young Victorian gunslinger Todd Murphy and white ball superstar Adam Zampa could also be smokers for a Test debut.
Zampa has only played one first-class match in the last three years, but his flawless performances in canary yellow since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic could be enough to convince selectors he is ready for five-day cricket. .
