Australia vs India: David Warner unlikely to be fit for Boxing Day Test

Australia opener David Warner is unlikely to be fit for the second Test against India. He has been out of action since the second ODI against India after sustaining a groin injury. The selectors, meanwhile, also get some time to ponder on taking a big call on who makes way for Warner once he gets fit. The hosts had handed a debut to the pace-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green while Matthew Wade opened the innings for the first time in red-ball cricket.

Will Pucovski is also set to miss the Boxing Day Test as he is yet to recover from concussion suffered during the first practice-game against India A. This means Australia will continue with the same opening pair from Adelaide Test – Joe Burns and Matthew Wade. There were questions over Burns’ form but for now, he has managed to save his place thanks to an unbeaten half-century in the 90-run chase in the first Test.

As far as David Warner is concerned, he was confident of regaining fitness in time. Rather he was under an extensive rehabilitation programme but the time frame for him to be available to play seems too tight according to ESPNCricinfo. “Hopefully I can get up and about and start running at a higher tempo. I managed to get up to 14 kilometres an hour so I’ve got to work towards a max of 26 to 30 kilometres an hour by next week.

“If I can run between wickets and move laterally and do some ground fielding by the end of next week, I should be ready to go. Fingers are crossed,” David Warner had said while speaking to SEN Radio earlier this week.

Who will be dropped after David Warner is fit?

Australia will have to take a big call after their incumbent opener returns though and it remains to be seen if the hosts revert to their six batsmen formula. In that case, Cameron Green will have to make way while Wade will be back to the number six slot. However, if the selectors opt to retain Green, then there will be talks of leaving out Wade which will be unfortunate, or Travis Head.