David Warner is likely to play in the third Test with albeit with an injury said Australian assistant coach Andrew McDonald. The Australian openers have failed badly in the first two Tests. Though Joe Burns scored an unbeaten fifty in the second innings of the first Test, he failed again in the second Test. In Warner’s absence and Steve Smith out of form, the Australian batting line-up has seemed very brittle.
Meanwhile, Australian assistant coach Andrew McDonald has given an update on the possibility of Warner playing the next Test. The third Test is scheduled to be played in Sydney from January 7-11.
“Look, if he’s 90-95% fit and the conversation is that he’s fit enough to be able to go out there and perform his duties for the team, then I’m sure that’ll be a conversation the coach has with the player. That’s a real, clear option. He may not be 100 percent fit — who is coming off an injury? You never know until you get out there,” McDonald said during a virtual press conference.
Also Read: Australia Announce Squad For Final 2 Tests vs India
David Warner Optimistic About His Return: Andrew McDonald
McDonald further said that David Warner is pretty optimistic about his comeback which is great news for the team. Warner had earlier said that he would be fit in time for the Boxing-Day Test which was not the case.
“He’s (Warner) very optimistic that he should be ready to go, which is great news for us. We are really excited to have him back” McDonald said.
He further said that Warner will have to give one final fitness Test before a decision on him playing the third Test is taken.
“He will be put through tests whatever it needs to be put through to make himself available for selection to potentially open the batting. So it’s good to have a little bit of depth out there” he concluded saying.
Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar Opines on Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane Captaincy Debate