Australian opener David Warner has been ruled out of the third and final T20I against New Zealand due to a groin injury, bringing an early end to his final bilateral series for Australia. The 35-year-old, who has retired from Tests and ODIs, will bid farewell to T20Is after the upcoming T20 World Cup in June.
Although Warner will be sidelined for a brief period due to the injury, he is expected to recover in time for the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he will represent Delhi Capitals. His last appearance in a bilateral series for Australia was in the first T20I against New Zealand in Wellington, where he scored 32 runs in a last-ball win.
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In the second T20I in Auckland, Warner was not part of the playing eleven, with the team management stating that he was rested. Travis Head and Steve Smith opened the innings in his absence. Despite being at the ground, Warner did not participate in the pre-game discussion and did not undertake 12th-man duties during the match.
David Warner Suffers Injury Scare Ahead Of IPL 2024, To Miss 3rd T20I vs New Zealand#davidwarner #NZvsAUS https://t.co/mAqo8JW9LN pic.twitter.com/2dvKZlpcbX
— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) February 24, 2024
David Warner’s final game in New Zealand was eagerly anticipated, especially after his pre-season comments regarding the Kiwi fans. He had previously spoken about the abuse he and his teammates faced from New Zealand crowds during the 2016 tour, describing the fans’ behavior as “derogatory and vulgar.”
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In response to boos from the New Zealand crowd after his dismissal in the first T20I, Warner blew a kiss in their direction. Australia has already secured the three-match series by winning the first two games and will aim for a whitewash in the absence of Warner. The veteran batsman is expected to play a crucial role for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL season.
