Australia’s explosive opening batsman David Warner has had an incredible Pakistan Test series at home but he could not perform to the best of his ability in the first Test of the three-match home Test series against New Zealand in Perth last week.

The left-hander managed 43 and19 runs in Australia’s massive 296 runs win over the Black Caps in the first Domain Test in Perth and now uncertainty looms over his participation ahead of the Boxing Day Test after he was struck on the thumb during a nets session on Monday (December 23).

After having undergone medical checks, Warner has returned to training with strapping around the thumb on Tuesday (December 24) at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), although, Australian coach Justin Langer isn’t worried about him ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

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On Tuesday, December 24, Langer has confirmed that Warner is fine and declared the opener fir for the second Test against New Zealand starting Thursday (December 26) at MCG.

Langer told reporters, “He’s fine. There was a little concern for about two seconds and then he saw the doctor and he’s hitting balls again. We know how well he’s playing at the moment; we know how much all the boys love playing Test cricket and Boxing Day cricket ... so he’ll be ready to go.”

He signed off by saying, “It’s not unusual for Davey to do that. He’s in really good nick, he’s a very experienced player now, he knows how to prepare. As I said, I’ve got absolutely no worries that he’ll be raring to go.”

(With The Guardian Inputs)