Australia head coach Justin Langer is “very hopeful” that “a warrior” like David Warner is raring to go in Sydney for the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India starting Thursday, January 7 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
The swashbuckling opener had missed the first two Tests of the ongoing four-Test series due to a groin injury, though, he still has pain, but Langer feels Warner has done everything to be ready and is likely to compete for Australia in the New Year’s Test against India at the SCG.
As reported by PTI, Langer said at a virtual media conference on Tuesday (January 5): “Very hopeful that David will be ready to go (for the third Test), he is a bit of a warrior, isn't he? I have said this since day one that he is doing everything possible to be ready.”
He continued, “He is moving pretty well. He is very determined to play. He loves the competition and he loves playing Test cricket. We will get some final eyes on him at training this afternoon and we will make a discussion on that. But I would say, he (Warner) is looking very likely to play the Test match.”
However, the Aussie coach has pointed out that Warner hasn't played four-day cricket for about 12 months, but was confident that he will not have any problem in transition into the longest format of the game given his immense experience.
Langer further noted, “He has played a lot of white-ball cricket recently, a bit like Steve Smith. Davey hasn't played any four-day cricket for about 12 months but he is a master of the game. He has played a lot of cricket, his experience will help him, no doubt about that.”
Meanwhile, the Australia coach has revealed that the hosts will keep Warner in the slips to help him save energy as he may feel some discomfort while fielding against India.
Langer further added, “He is going to play with pain though and it is not so much in the muscle but in the tendon area. Like (a) lot of cricketers, who play through different levels of pain, he is willing to take that on and hopefully won't hamper him too much.”
On the other hand, the coach also confirmed that the 22-year-old Will Pucovski will make his Test debut in the third Test against India at the iconic SCG. Pucovski was to make a Test debut in the Adelaide Test but ruled out of the first two Tests after being hit on the head during the warm-up game against India A.
Pucovski, who had a concussion-related problem, has been cleared to play for Australia in the New Year’s Test against India. Langer added, “He has been cleared by all the medicos. He has been cleared and that will be very heartening for him and for his family and everyone involved in it.”
Noteworthy, Warner had recently said he was “highly doubtful” about attaining full fitness ahead of the third Test, and Langer assured that if the opener felt that he can re-injured himself, then they would certainly not rush his return in Sydney.
Langer signed off by saying, “He has had a good rehab, as I said he might be little restricted in the field, he might get that area little-bit fatigued because he hasn't played Test cricket for a while but we wouldn't take that risk if we thought he would re-injure himself.”
At the moment, the four-match Test series is tied 1-1 with Australia winning the first Day-Night Test in Adelaide while India emerged triumphant in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The third Test will take place at the SCG from Thursday followed by the final Test on January 15 at The Gabba, Brisbane.
(With PTI Inputs)
