Due to groin soreness, Australian opener David Warner will not be participating in the final T20I against New Zealand. Cricket Australia (CA) clarifies that his absence from the playing XI in the second T20I is unrelated to the previous injury.
The current series against New Zealand signifies David Warner’s last bilateral duty with the Australian national team, as he has already declared his retirement from Test and ODI formats. The injury is unlikely to affect his involvement in the upcoming 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Delhi Capitals (DC).
As per Cricket Australia’s statement on February 24, David Warner will need a short recovery period. The injury prevented him from participating in the activities from the Australian dugout, including fulfilling his responsibilities as the team’s 12th man.
“Warner will require a brief recovery period which is not expected to affect his availability for the upcoming Indian Premier League leading into to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” a CA statement said.
Australia is scheduled to compete in a two-match Test series against New Zealand as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) after the T20I series. However, David Warner is not considered for the Test series as he had already retired from the longest format.
In the last bilateral match of his career, David Warner accumulated a total of 32 runs
As a member of the preferred opening duo alongside Travis Head, David Warner contributed a rapid 32 runs in Australia’s nail-biting victory in the series opener in Wellington.
Facing booing from the audience at the Sky Stadium, the left-handed batsman responded by blowing a kiss gesture while heading back to the pavilion after his dismissal.
With Warner sidelined, Steve Smith now has an opportunity, possibly his last, to assert himself as a backup opening candidate ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the second T20I in Auckland, Smith managed only 11 runs off seven deliveries in Australia’s 72-run victory.
Australia holds an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, allowing captain Mitchell Marsh the freedom to explore new combinations with options like Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis on the bench.
Australia new T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
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