Green ruled out but Aussies toy with stunning change for second Test

Cameron Green won’t play the second Test against South Africa as he continues to recover from an abdominal strain.

Australian journalists travelling with the team report assistant coach Matthew Wade basically confirmed as much during a training session overnight.

Green is still expected to be fit for the third Test in Cape Town, but won’t take the field in Gqeberha starting Sunday after he was injured playing a one-day international last month.

It alleviates one headache facing selectors, who had been pondering which player would make way for the tall all-rounder. Cricket legend Mark Taylor told nine.com.au he expected either Nic Maddinson or Beau Webster to drop out if Green returned.

It means they could trot out the same side that won by 214 runs in Durban, although reports suggest back-up fast bowler Scott Boland is firming for a stunning selection for the second match.

Middle-order batter Josh Inglis has also reportedly recovered from a finger injury and could come into calculations, although it’s unlikely he would unseat any of the incumbents.

For veteran quick Boland, it is unclear where he would slot into the side and who would go out.

Webster struggled to make an impact in the first Test, but he provides much more with the bat than Boland does, while Josh Hazlewood won’t be dropped after taking career-best figures against the Proteas just days ago.

It leaves left-arm quick Mitchell Starc or off-spin bowler Nathan Lyon in the gun if Boland is to get a start.

Australia has just kicked off a hectic 18-month Test schedule and selectors have previously flagged a rotation policy of sorts, meaning Boland will have a role to play when other bowlers need a rest.

South Africa, meantime, has swung the axe in response to its loss in the series opener.

Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne have been axed after poor batting displays, with Verreynne’s wicketkeeping duties to be taken by Ryan Rickelton in the second Test.

The Proteas are hoping superstar fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is fit for selection and he would come straight in and spearhead the attack against Australia.

“It’s going to sound like an excuse, but when your Rolls-Royce of fast bowlers is not available, and you’ve got to fashion an attack … Hopefully, our Rolls-Royce will be purring down the highway,” South African coach Shukri Conrad said overnight of Rabada.

Rabada is South Africa’s best bowler and boasts a Test average of 22.03, which drops to an impressive 21.39 in 11 matches against Australia.