Grim clues emerge amid Warner's injury doubt

2 years ago 710

An unconvincing nets league has piled much uncertainty connected David Warner's availability for the 2nd Ashes Test, with the opening batter inactive showing signs of being hampered by his bruised ribs conscionable 2 days retired from the 2nd match.

The seasoned left-hander, who took vantage of a bid of missed England chances to marque 94 successful Australia's archetypal excavation successful the Ashes opener, played nary portion successful the 3rd nor 4th innings of the Brisbane Test.

That sound of 94 saw him bull 2 blows to the ribs and, though scans confirmed nary fracture, Warner's availability for the archetypal day-night Test of the summertime has since been uncertain.

The 35-year-old wore a thorax defender arsenic helium faced throw-downs from batting manager Michael di Venuto for astir 30 minutes successful the Adelaide Oval nets connected Tuesday evening, letting retired large cries of symptom portion playing respective shots quadrate of the wicket.

Warner was past successful speech with di Venuto, manager Justin Langer and squad doc Leigh Golding, gesturing to bespeak helium was inactive suffering symptom successful the ribs.

Warner near the nets without facing a bowler.

Usman Khawaja, overlooked for opener Marcus Harris and No.5 Travis Head up of the Gabba Test, is connected standby for Warner.

Warner flew into Adelaide a time earlier than astir of Australia's squad to reunite with his household arsenic soon arsenic possible, having not seen them since departing for the resumption of the Indian Premier League successful September.

"I flew location with him a mates of days ago. His household came into Adelaide which was nice," Head told reporters connected Tuesday morning.

"And helium felt similar helium was successful a bully space.

Warner wounded mounts unit connected Harris

"Obviously helium was a small spot sore, (so) we didn't instrumentality immoderate risks with him lone needing 20.

"He was going to bat but successful the extremity our bowlers did a fantastic occupation to springiness him a time off. So I deliberation for him it was conscionable rest.

"I deliberation he's acceptable to go. So nary issues for David."

Warner hasn't played a Test astatine Adelaide Oval since making his unbeaten 335 against Pakistan successful the 2019-20 summertime – the lone Test triple 100 scored astatine the venue.

A groin wounded meant Warner lone played 2 of the 4 Tests against India successful the 2020-21 Australian summer.

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!