Warner in race to prove fitness
David Warner will ramp up his bid to bolster the struggling Australian batting lineup when the squad reconvenes for training today ahead of the third test against India.
The pugnacious opener is back in the extended squad after missing the first two matches of the Border-Gavaskar series with a groin injury picked up during the ODI series.
In his absence, Australia failed to score more than 200 in any of their three completed innings in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Only makeshift opener Matthew Wade (27.75), Marnus Labuschagne (32.25) and captain Tim Paine (43.50) are averaging more than 23 for the series.
Joe Burns was axed from the squad after an unacceptable return in the Boxing Day test and seven single-figure scores in eight innings, including three ducks, against touring Indian teams this summer.
‘‘He’s in that top calibre of player and his energy around the group and in the field will be terrific. It will be great to have him.’’
Marnus Labuschagne on DavidWarner
Warner, Marcus Harris and possible debutant Will Pucovski, who still needs to be given final clearance after his latest bout of concussion, are all possible inclusions at the top of the order.
The Australian players have been given three days off after the eightwicket defeat in the Boxing Day test and will train in Melbourne today before travelling to Sydney on Monday.
If he is cleared to play, prolific lefthander Warner will be a huge boost to Australia for the crucial third test, with the series tied at 1-1.
‘‘He’s a big inclusion for us if he does come back in,’’ Labuschagne said.
‘‘He’s someone with over 7000 test runs and averaging near-on 50, he’s a superb player.
‘‘He’s in that top calibre of player and his energy around the group and in the field will be terrific. It will be great to have him.’’
Sydney’s hosting of the third test had been in grave doubt because of the city’s Covid-19 outbreak, but the schedule has been given the green light by government and health authorities.
Meanwhile, India’s pace depth is set to be tested in the final two tests of the series, with Umesh Yadav expected to miss the rest of the series.
Yadav tweaked his calf during India’s series-levelling victory in Melbourne.
Several media outlets reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given up hope of the 33-yearold, who is the most experienced member of the tourists’ pace attack, playing at either the SCG or Gabba.
Veteran paceman Ishant Sharma (side strain) and enforcer Mohammed Shami (broken arm), who would ordinarily join spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in India’s full- strength XI, are also unavailable.
Yadav’s setback will increase the burden on Bumrah at the SCG, where the series resumes on Thursday. However, right-armer Mohammed Siraj impressed on test debut at the MCG.
Siraj claimed the key wickets of Travis Head and Cameron Green during Australia’s final innings of the second test, stepping up after Yadav was restricted to just 21 deliveries.
Would-be debutant Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur headline the list of contenders to replace Yadav.
Thangarasu Natarajan, who made his ODI and Twenty20 debuts for India at the start of their current tour, has remained with the squad as a net bowler and may be a shock inclusion in Sydney.