Warner in doubt for ODI series opener vs England
melbourne — Joe Root is set to play for England in Sunday’s opening one-day international in Melbourne after recovering from a viral illness but Australia opener David Warner is troubled by a stomach bug.
Root was hospitalised on the final morning of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney with gastroenteritis but England ODI skipper Eoin Morgan said he would play in the series opener in Melbourne.
“Joe is good and should be fit to play tomorrow,” Morgan told reporters on Saturday.
“He’s extremely important. He’s been a fantastic leader within the group and, on top of that, there’s the weight of runs he’s scored and the manner that he’s scored them.
“He’s obviously a key part. He’s a very versatile player and can score in any strike-rate that needs to be required, given the situation.”
But while Root was in better health, Australia vice-captain Warner missed the team’s final training session on Saturday and instead walked laps of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“I think he’s okay, he was having a bit of a gastro issue yesterday,” skipper Steve Smith told reporters.
“He turned up here today and walked the oval a few times. He said he’ll be fine so I don’t think there’ll be any trouble there.” Warner, the No.3-ranked ODI batsman, has been one of the game’s most dominant 50-over players, especially playing at home. —