Warner’s ribs won’t be tickled pink if you believe England veteran quick

DAVID Warner can breathe easy – England’s battery of pace bowlers will not target his bruised ribs when the sore batsman soldiers through the second Test at Adelaide Oval.

Legendary quick Jimmy Anderson – who is set to bolster England’s attack in the day-night match – said the devastating left-hander posed such an alarming threat that it would be foolish to disrupt their bowling plans because of a niggle.

“We know how good (Warner) is, we saw that in the first Test,” Anderson, 39, said on Wednesday.

“It’s not an area we think, ‘well, we have to target that because he might have a sore rib’. We’ll just be trying to get him out like we normally do.”

Anderson thought Warner and Marnus Labuschagne left deliveries masterfully at the Gabba.

While some fiery bowling might unsettle Warner, it could also backfire for England – and quickly if Warner is in a mood.

Warner did not feature in the nets on Wednesday and appeared to be in serious discomfort on Tuesday night, struggling particularly against a couple of short balls.

Warner navigated that brief session without painkillers, which are an option for this Test. He would’ve received an injection to bat in the second innings at the Gabba if needed.

“He’ll be fine once the adrenaline kicks in,” captain Pat Cummins said.

“It’s one thing batting in the nets, it’s a different thing with a packed crowd.

“He’s played close to 90 Tests, I’m sure a lot of them have been played in discomfort.”

Warner’s availability is pleasing news for Marcus Harris, who has the chance to lock in Australia’s batting order for the foreseeable future.

Travis Head slammed the door shut on the No.5 position with last week’s matchdefining 152 and Warner’s absence would’ve given Usman Khawaja the chance to audition.

Harris nicked two throwdowns from assistant coach Jeff Vaughan and played and missed at another one early in his nets session.

Coach Justin Langer later heaped praise on Harris, screaming out: “Yeah, baby!” after several attacking shots.

Harris appeared to grow in confidence by the ball and Langer will be hoping the runs flow for the left-hander in Adelaide. Harris is still searching for a maiden Test century after 11 matches.