Aussie injury crisis deepens as two Test stars struck down
Updated . First published at
Australia has avoided a series whitewash by claiming a rain-affected 45-run victory in the dead rubber third ODI against South Africa.
But it has potentially come at a huge cost, with both Cameron Green and Matthew Renshaw suffering painful injuries during the match.
Cameron Green was floored by a Corbin Bosch full toss to the groin. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
Green was first to go down with an apparent abdominal injury late in Australia’s innings. He attempted to belt a short delivery from Corbin Bosch into the stands, but succeeded only in gloving it for a simple catch to ’keeper Quinton de Kock. As he swung, he immediately grabbed at his abdomen and looked ginger as he got to his feet to walk off.
Two balls earlier, Green had been floored by a nasty blow directly to the groin from a Bosch full toss. He shrugged it off to flick the next ball for six off his pads before the injury.
Green had been earmarked to bowl for the first time in the series having been hampered by a shoulder niggle. In the innings break, he bowled a handful of deliveries off a short run-up before the decision was made to sit him out of the remainder of the match.
It’s the latest in a series of injury setbacks for Green, who has been hampered by a series of back and soft-tissue niggles – particularly hamstring – for several seasons.
Later, Renshaw copped a nasty blow to the forearm while fielding at square leg.
From the first ball of Adam Zampa’s spell, Ryan Rickelton pelted a hook shot in Renshaw’s direction. The ball took an awkward bounce off an old pitch on the outer edge of the square, and hit Renshaw’s forearm just above his wrist.
Cameras captured him holding it awkwardly before he, too, came from the field.
It caps off a brutal series of injuries for the Aussies. With Josh Inglis sent home from the tour with a broken finger and Jack Edwards and Nathan Ellis nursing their own injuries, recently-arrived Test guns Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster were forced to sub-field.
The Aussies weren't the only ones rocked by injuries in Potchefstroom. Proteas batter Tony de Zorzi also went down with a hamstring injury, joining several teammates with similar injuries.
Batting first, the Aussies shared the load well on their way to an imposing 9-322 from 50 overs. Mitch Marsh (56 from 42) and Alex Carey (74 from 88) each scored half centuries, supported by Travis Head (24 from 20), Cooper Connolly (23 from 33), Ollie Peake (48 from 53), Renshaw (30 from 29) and Green (23 from 18).
In reply, the Proteas were 4-145 from 28 overs when forecast rain arrived about 8.30pm local time. The start of the match was delayed as ground staff worked to dry the outfield sodden by heavy overnight thunderstorms.
Matthew Renshaw was injured when he was struck on the forearm while fielding. Fox Sports
Rickelton was the best for the hosts, belting an unbeaten 71 of 81 to keep the hosts’ hopes of sweeping the series alive until the rain arrived.
“Obviously would have been nice to have a full game. I thought the way we batted, showed improvement,” Marsh said post-match.
“Disappointing series … looking forward to the World Cup in 12 months’ time. SA are a team that plays well at home and lot of learnings from that.
“It was a great challenge and always a privilege to captain Australia. I felt good, but would’ve been nice to get a couple of big scores for the team.”
Playing his first ODI in two years, Test skipper Pat Cummins went wicketless from his five overs, as did Mitchell Starc. Xavier Bartlett (2-25) and Zampa (2-34) did the damage for the tourists.
Focus will now turn to the three-Test series, which gets underway at Kingsmead in Durban next Friday, October 9.
