The veteran Indian opener, David Warner will find it difficult to attain complete fitness ahead of the Test series against India as Cricket Australia informed that he will miss the last one-day international and the three-match T20I series next month. Warner limped out of Sunday’s ODI against India after straining his groin while fielding as Australia secured the series 2-0 in Sydney. After a typically swashbuckling knock of 83 on Sunday, Warner fell awkwardly and had to be helped from the field.
Warner will not be able to feature in the final ODI on Wednesday and all three T20Is scheduled to be commencing on Friday in Canberra to undergo rehab in an effort to ready for the Test series which begins on December 17 in Adelaide. Opening batsman D’Arcy Short has been called up to the Twenty20 international squad as a replacement.
Cricket Australia also announced that leading pacer, Pat Cummins will be rested for the remaining limited-overs games against India, putting pressure on an out-of-form Mitchell Starc.
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Explaining the same, head coach, Justin Langer said, “Davie will work through his injury rehab, and in Pat’s case it is important all of our players are managed well to keep them mentally and physically fit throughout what is a challenging summer. The priority for both is being fully prepared for one of the biggest and most important home Test Series we have played in recent years, especially with World Test Championship points up for grabs.”
Left-hander Short plays cricket for Western Australia and he was also the highest run-scorer BBL in 2017-18 and 2018-19. No replacement has been announced for Cummins, with Australia to rely on Josh Hazelwood, Starc, and all-rounder Moises Henriques to provide the main seam bowling options.
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Starc was seen struggling in the first couple of ODIs, and was Australia’s most expensive bowler in the 51-run victory against India on Sunday, taking no wickets for 82 runs off nine overs. Australia will play four Tests against India, with the other matches in Melbourne beginning on Boxing Day, Sydney (January 7-11) and Brisbane (January 15-19).
