Sore Warner will play

Neck injury at training sends scare through camp FIRST ASHES TEST

DAVID Warner didn’t contribute to the pre-Ashes war of words yesterday, but a neck injury suffered by Australia’s vice-captain meant he continued to dominate the build-up.

Warner twinged his neck and immediately called for assistance after taking a high catch during Australia’s second last training session before the first Test.

The aggressive opener is not considered in any great comfort when he attempted to bat yesterday, lasting only two throwdowns before trudging off to the rooms for treatment. Warner is adamant he will be fit for day one of the Gabba clash. “I don’t think a sore neck is going to keep me out (of the Test),” he said. “Hopefully, it settles down in the next 24 or 48 hours ... I’ll try and have a hit tomorrow.

“My neck is quite stiff quite sore.

“I haven’t really had a stiff neck like this one but I’ll get some treatment tonight, get ... some heat packs on some fingers into it.”

Warner indicated it wasn’t pain that forced him to leave the nets. “I couldn’t align myself, face on, with Hicky (batting coach Graeme Hick),” he said, explaining he did not want to form bad habits.

The absence of Warner would be an immense blow to the hosts, with Shaun Marsh likely to replace him at the top of the order and a newcomer drafted into the XI. The other obvious option would be for local Test discard Matthew it and Renshaw to earn a last-minute reprieve.

The Australian camp is yet to start any discussions, such is their confidence that Warner will soon be fit.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali scoffed at the suggestion Warner could miss the first Test. “He’ll be fine,” he said. Wet weather continues to hamper retiring curator Kevin Mitchell’s preparation for the series opener, with further rain forecast throughout the week