Langer’s ‘fingers crossed’ Warner will get green light
DAVID Warner is no certainty to return for the third Test against India, after coach Justin Langer revealed the injured opener still can’t run properly.
Warner has already missed the opening two clashes after hurting himself in the field during a one-day clash in Sydney on November 29.
The third Test will start on January 7, in either Sydney or the MCG, where Warner has been batting in the nets isolated from the rest of the Test squad. He flew to Melbourne to continue his recovery after a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.
He batted again on the second day of the Boxing Day Test and looked comfortable in his net session, in which he faced balls from Sean Abbott.
Warner batted for around 45 minutes, and appeared to run at full pace.
But Langer could only say he had his “fingers crossed” that Warner would be ready for the third Test.
“As we‘ve said for the last few weeks, there’s no one more professional, and he’s doing everything possible,” Langer told Channel 7.
“We saw him bat the day before the game. He’s batting again this afternoon here at the MCG. So in terms of his batting, he’s flying.
“He’s still having some trouble with his groin, and we know how dynamic he is, his running between the wickets, the way his movement is all the time.
“So he’s getting closer, and we’re hopeful that he will come good. He’s certainly hopeful he’s going to come good, but time will tell.
“We still have a few more days until the next Test match. Fingers crossed he’s ready to go for that third Test match.”
The return of Warner could see stand-in opener Matthew Wade move back down the order in place of either Travis Head or Cameron Green.
But Wade could be needed to stay at the top of the order if Joe Burns, who was out for a duck in the first innings at the MCG, fails to register a score in the second innings.
Prospective opener Will Pucovski could be in the frame to make his Test debut in the third clash against India, after being ruled out of the first two Tests with concussion.