David Warner and Sean Abbott have been ruled out of the next Boxing-Day Test against India starting from December 26. The players will join the squad ahead of the third test. While Abbott has recovered from the calf strain he sustained in the practice game against India, Warner has is yet to recover from his groin injury that he sustained in the second ODI against India.

Meanwhile, David Warner and Abbott both flew ahead of schedule to Melbourne following a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney. Cricket Australia has released a statement on the unavailability of the two Australian cricketers. As a result, the host will continue with Joe Burns and Matthew Wade at the top of the order.

“Warner and Abbott spent time in Sydney outside the team’s bio-secure hub to recover from injury. While neither player has been in a specific ‘hotspot’ as outlined by NSW Health, Cricket Australia’s bio-security protocols do not allow them to rejoin the squad in time for the Boxing Day Test. The pair travelled from Sydney to Melbourne to continue their rehabilitation given the changing public health situation in Sydney at the time.”

Also Read: Cricket Australia Look For Other Options After Sudden COVID-19 Outbreak In Sydney

David Warner Unavailable in Melbourne Test

Warner had also missed the first Test in Adelaide as Joe Burns and Matthew Wade opened for the Aussies. Will Pucovski was ruled out as well following his concussion injury in the practice game against India. He has been ruled out of the second test against India as well.

Meanwhile, with a fresh surge of COVID cases in Sydney, Cricket Australia are thinking to play back-to-back Test matches in Melbourne as per reports. The Australian cricket board had earlier said that they are well-equipped to stage the third test in Sydney which is still two weeks away.

The second Test in Melbourne starts from December 26 with no new players being added on the Australian squad as yet. Joe Burns scored an unbeaten 51 and looks good to keep his place in the second test. Warner’s unavailability means Matthew Wade will get his second chance as well after failing in the first Test.

Also Read: David Warner Aiming Boxing-Day Test Return vs India