Labuschagne answers SOS after Green's injury scare

Cameron Green remains on track for the Ashes despite a side niggle ruling him out of the three-match ODI series against India, starting in Perth on Sunday.

Green experienced what Cricket Australia has described as "low grade side soreness" at training this week and was withdrawn from the squad on Friday.

The 26-year-old's injury has resulted in an ODI recall for Marnus Labuschagne, who was the biggest axing from the squad when it was initially named earlier this month.

Green underwent radical spinal surgery a year ago, and only recently returned to bowling duties.

He sent down four overs during Western Australia's Sheffield Shield loss to NSW earlier this month - his first competitive overs in a year - and said he was planning to be unrestricted by the start of the Ashes on November 21.

Green's side niggle could delay those plans, but Cricket Australia are confident the issue isn't serious.

"Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Travis Head is optimistic Green's Ashes hopes won't be derailed by his latest injury setback.

"I don't think it will have any affect on the Ashes, it's more disappointing he's not here at the moment for the next three games," Head said at Optus Stadium on Friday.

"I don't think it's too serious. It's probably more precaution leading into the next five weeks."

Labuschagne will join up with the ODI squad following the completion of Queensland's Shield clash with South Australia in Adelaide.

The 31-year-old is favoured to win back his Test spot after producing four centuries from five innings to start the domestic season.

His latest heroics was a knock of 159 off 197 balls as Queensland posted a first-innings total of 398 against SA.

Labuschagne was rated as the world's No.1 Test batter for large periods between late 2021 and early 2023, but he has now gone 30 Test innings without a century.

"I don't think much is missing for him to still be one of the best batters," Head replied when asked what sort of weapon Labuschagne could be during the Ashes.

"I still think he's averaging 50 (46.19) in Test cricket. It's not bad, I wouldn't mind swapping with him, even though he's been a little bit shy of runs of late.

"But quality players get runs, and he's shown that when he's gone back to domestic level."

The three-match ODI series is set to mark the last time Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma represent their country in Australia.

Whether 38-year-old Sharma and 36-year-old Kohli are able to keep going until the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa remains to be seen, but their appearance in Perth has ensured Sunday's match is almost a sellout, with more than 50,000 fans expected to turn up to Optus Stadium.

"They've been awesome for India - two of the great white-ball players," Head said.

"Virat is probably the greatest white-ball player, Rohit's probably not far behind.

"I'm sure they will be missed at some stage, but I think they are both going to 2027 aren't they? They are both trying to get to that World Cup."