Cameron Green Ruled Out of India ODIs with Side Soreness, Labuschagne Recalled
Australia's preparations for the upcoming ODI series against India have suffered a significant setback, with allrounder Cameron Green ruled out due to low-grade side soreness. The 26-year-old will undergo a short rehabilitation program and is expected to return for Western Australia's Sheffield Shield match on October 28 against South Australia.
Green’s injury adds to a growing list of absentees for Australia ahead of a busy summer, including the highly anticipated Ashes series, which begins on November 21 in Perth. His replacement in the ODI squad is Marnus Labuschagne, who has been recalled following a strong run of domestic form.
Labuschagne will join the national squad in Perth after completing Queensland’s current Shield fixture in Adelaide. The middle-order batter was left out of the original ODI squad after a lean period with the bat but has since bounced back emphatically, scoring four centuries in his last five domestic innings, including a commanding 159 against Tasmania earlier this month.
Injury Comes Amid Careful Management
Green had only recently resumed bowling following back surgery last year. He was eased back into action during Western Australia’s opening Shield match against New South Wales last week, where he bowled four overs and took one wicket. Cricket Australia’s medical staff restricted him from bowling on consecutive days, limiting his involvement in the match.
Although Green was unlikely to bowl in the first two ODIs against India, the team had hoped to gradually increase his bowling workload across the domestic season, building toward the Ashes. He was already set to miss the third ODI in Sydney and the T20I series that follows to focus on the third and fourth rounds of the Shield competition.
However, the allrounder pulled up sore after a bowling session earlier this week, prompting the medical team to opt for a precautionary rest and rehab period.
Ashes Preparation in Jeopardy
Green’s absence is concerning for Australia's Test setup, particularly as selectors had planned for him to play a major role as a fully fit allrounder during the Ashes. Test captain Pat Cummins is also under an injury cloud, admitting earlier this week that he is "less likely than likely" to feature in the Ashes opener against England in Perth.
Fellow Test allrounder Beau Webster is also nursing an injury after rolling his ankle at training. The Tasmanian has missed the opening two Shield rounds but is expected to return for their next game on October 28.
Further Selection Challenges
Australia's ODI squad has been severely depleted ahead of the India series. Apart from Green and Cummins, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is sidelined with a calf strain and will miss at least the first two matches.
Adam Zampa will also miss the first ODI in Perth to be with his pregnant wife in New South Wales. Meanwhile, Alex Carey—a key member of the ODI squad and backup keeper—will also be unavailable for the opening game as he prioritizes playing in South Australia’s Shield match against Queensland.
Labuschagne Back in Form
Labuschagne’s return to the squad comes after a notable resurgence in domestic white-ball cricket. The right-hander has posted scores of 130 (vs Victoria) and 105 (vs Tasmania) in the Marsh One-Day Cup, following his omission from the original ODI squad due to underwhelming performances over the past 12 months.
Green’s absence, while precautionary, leaves a considerable void in Australia's ODI lineup and casts further doubt on the team’s ideal preparation heading into the Ashes.
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