Highly Doubtful That I Will Be Fully Fit For Third Test Against India: David Warner

Mumbai: Australia’s number one opener David Warner said on Saturday that he is “highly doubtful” about regaining full fitness ahead of the third Test against India, though he will do everything possible to respond to a desperate selection panel and team management’s call.

Warner sustained a groin tear during the second ODI against India and has been racing against time to get fit for the January 7-11 third Test after missing the first two matches where Joe Burns and Matthew Wade failed to live up to the expectations.

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“We’ve got training sessions today and tomorrow, so I can’t give you any more indication of where I’m at. I haven’t trained for the past few days, but after today and tomorrow, I will get a better indication of where I am. Am I going to be a hundred per cent? Highly suspicious,” Warner said during a virtual media conference.

“… but I will do everything to try and play in that park. Even if it means I am not one hundred per cent, I will do everything that the selectors can give me in that green light,” he said.

Warner stated that during some net sessions, he did not try to move on, but is aware that adrenaline is captured after the game begins.

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He said, “Batting in the nets the other day probably helped me because I had to wait for the ball in my area and I didn’t throw my hands and tried to play nice and fit. It’s strange to say that.”

“Look, for me, there will be some restrictions here and there. I think when you get into a game, it takes adrenaline, you don’t have any kind of doubt that you can’t play those shots.”

“But, at the moment, yeah, there are a few shots where if you are lunging then….”

“These are things I want to be 100 per cent fit for and in this case, I am not going to be,” his statement made it clear that he was being pushed into playing even before his body would permit.

Australia won the opening Test in Adelaide by eight wickets, with India levelling the series on Tuesday with an eight-wicket win in Melbourne.

Despite an outbreak of Covid-19 in Sydney, Cricket Australia has confirmed the third Test will be held at the SCG on January 7, with players expected to arrive on Monday.

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