Green fit to bat at Newlands as Australia weigh changes after Gqeberha loss

Cameron Green is available for Australia's third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town, ESPNcricinfo reported, although he will not be able to bowl. According to the outlet, Green would prefer to bat at No. 4 or 5 but has left the final decision to the team.

Green has not played since suffering an abdominal injury in the final one-day international against South Africa on September 30, ESPNcricinfo reported. The Guardian described the injury as an abdominal strain picked up in the third ODI and said the 27-year-old spent time batting in the nets while the second Test was played at St George's Park. Head coach Andrew McDonald has said Green is unlikely to bowl in the Test series, the Guardian reported.

Australia go to Cape Town after losing that second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs. They were bowled out for 99 in their first innings. The ABC reported that the series is on a knife edge as Australia return to the scene of Sandpapergate, and its headline said Smith would be "fine" there. The Guardian called the Newlands match the series decider and noted there is less than a week between Tests.

Guardian columnist Martin Pegan wrote that the defeat raises fresh questions about the batting. Marnus Labuschagne, 32, has gone more than three years without a Test century and has averaged 22.09 in 47 innings since his last hundred, against England at Old Trafford, according to the Guardian. His Test average, above 61 in late 2022, is now 43.36. Pegan suggested Labuschagne could get another chance by opening with Travis Head, as he did in the World Test Championship final defeat last year.

The column also questioned the recall of Nic Maddinson, 34, who returned after almost a decade out of the Test side and more than 18 months without first-class cricket, in part while recovering from testicular cancer. He made a 33-ball duck and 48 in Durban, then a duck and eight in Gqeberha, where he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. Pegan wrote that Maddinson's selection is likely to come to an abrupt end.

Josh Inglis is also expected to be available after an injury during the one-day leg of the tour, the Guardian reported, though it said he is far from a certain starter. Spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly, who has played one Test, is in contention, with his chances possibly depending on conditions at Newlands and whether selectors stay with Beau Webster.

Pegan suggested moving Matt Renshaw back to the top order, which would open a middle-order place for Green. Australia have not lost a bilateral Test series since early 2023, the Guardian noted. The third Test at Newlands is the next match of the tour.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Green available for Newlands Test, prefers No. 4 or 5 spot but leaves final call to Australia; ABC News, Smith will be 'fine' as Australia returns to Cape Town; The Guardian, Winds of change are coming for Australia as selection storm brews in South Africa | Martin Pegan.