Star Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the third Test match against South Africa, the country's cricket board - Cricket Australia announced on December 28 (Wednesday). Green sustained a fractured finger after being hit by Anrich Nortje's delivery while batting on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test match between Australia and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 23-year-old retired hurt after sustaining an excruciating blow to the hand but resumed batting on Day 3. The Aussie cricket board announced that Green will not bowl in the remainder of the MCG Test.
“Cameron Green has a small fracture on his right index finger,” Cricket Australia said.
"He will bat again in this match but will not bowl, followed by a period of recovery leading into the tour of India (in February)," it added.
Green, who returned to the crease on Day 3, scored an unbeaten half-century (51 not out off 177 balls) with the help of five boundaries before Aussie skipper Pat Cummins declared the innings at 575/8.
The right-arm medium pacer and explosive batter recently became the second-most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) when Mumbai Indians forked out a whopping Rs 17.5 crore to acquire his services.
Meanwhile, the Baggy Greens are also fretting over the injury to Mitchell Starc, who also injured his finger on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test.
Pat Cummins & Co. lead the three-match Test series 1-0 and are perfectly placed to take an assailable 2-0 lead as they are miles ahead in the ongoing second Test in Melbourne.
