Australia assistant coach Andrew McDonald accepted that the veteran opener David Warner will be expected to play the third Test against India despite not be able to achieve complete fitness. Warner missed the T20I series after nursing a strain in his groin in the ODI series against India. He was ruled out of the first couple of Tests after failing to attain complete fitness.

With opener Joe Burns dropped after a woeful Melbourne Test, Australia will be expected to join hands with his opening partner Matthew Wade in order to make a comeback after an eight-wicket defeat and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

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Informing the same during the virtual press conference, McDonald said, “I think that is a clear option that he may not be 100% fit. He is coming off an injury. If he is 90-95% and the conversation is that if he is fit enough to perform his duties for the team. That is the conversation the head coach (Justin Langer) will have with the player and most times Justin has been pretty open with the players, giving them accountability.”

He further added, “So there will be a conversation as we narrow into the first ball of the third Test. We will get an idea when he comes to the camp on the 2nd and 3rd (January)… we are encouraged that he is back. I am sure he is excited to come to the game. He is a world-class player. His strike rate is higher than most world-class players around the world and he can put pressure on the bowling attacks as well.”

McDonald confirmed that Will Pucovski has resumed training and that he will join the team during the training session on January 2 and 3.

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Explaining it further the assistant coach said, “The head coach (Justin Langer) has had some deeper conversation with him over where he is. A positive sign is he is joining us in the next couple of days. He will have sessions on the second and third. And then we travel to Sydney. He is resuming some light-work. He will be tested thoroughly here in the build-up to the third Test. We are assuming that since he has been added to the squad, he has met the concussion protocols.”