Australia suffers setback ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy as key all-rounder ruled out with back injury

Australia suffered a significant setback on their ongoing England tour as Cameron Green was ruled out due to a back injury. The all-rounder's availability for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series against India in November and December is now uncertain. The five-match series between India and Australia is set to begin on November 22.

The 25-year-old Green has been withdrawn from the final two matches of Australia’s ODI series against England after reporting soreness following the third game at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday. He was pulled out of Friday’s delayed fourth ODI at Lord’s due to the injury.

The batting all-rounder, who is returning home to begin his rehabilitation ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Test series, beginning in November, now faces a race to be fit for the much-anticipated assignment at home against a side that is leading the World Test Championship (WTC) chart at the moment.

Scans performed on the cricketer revealed a back injury and a timeline for his possible return to action will be set after more tests are conducted in Australia. According to cricket.com.au, an Australia men’s team spokesperson said the extent of the injury and a timeline for his return “wouldn’t be known until the player arrives home in Perth for further assessment”.

The cricketer reported soreness after the match in Chester-le-Street, where he picked 2/45 with the ball and scored 45 with the bat. He was left out of the second ODI at Headingley to manage his workloads after bowling in the previous six matches of their UK tour.

Green, who has a history with back injuries, was prohibited from bowling during the 2019-20 summer due to a stress fracture in his lower back. The first Test against India is nearly two months away, with the match starting on November 22 in Perth.