IND vs AUS: David Warner’s Availability in The Third Test Doubtful

Australia head coach Justin Langer, on Friday, gave updates on their star batsman David Warner’s injury. Langer is not sure about Warner’s availability for the third Test against India as he is still feeling uncomfortable while running due to groin injury.

David Warner missed the 3rd ODI, first Test and also ruled out of the second Test after limping off the field in the second One Day Internationals against India at Sydney Cricket Ground last month.

Langer said that Warner looked good and comfortable while batting in nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday but he looked uncomfortable while running due to the groin injury he sustained in the 2nd ODI.

“We’re very hopeful,” Langer said when asked if Warner will be fit for the third Test.

“He batted very well yesterday in the nets, he’s moving well (and) he’s as enthusiastic as ever. He’s got so much energy and passion for the game and he’ll be doing everything possible to get out onto the ground.

“He’s having a bit of trouble running at full speed. When he gets back and feels confident with it, of course, he’ll come back into our team. We’ll just monitor him, and fingers crossed he’ll be back.

“We know how dynamic he is, there’s no one more dynamic in the game with his running between the wickets and with the way he fields.

“He wants to make sure he’s 100 per cent fit for that because he gets great energy personally and as a group, we get great energy out of that,” Langer told reporters when asked if Warner will be fit for the New Year Test which will be played in Sydney from January 7.

India and Australia are going to face each other in the second Test of the 4-Match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, December 26. Notably, the visitors are going to enter the field on Saturday without their regular captain Virat Kohli. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the team India in Kohli’s absence as the stand-in captain.

The visitors were bundled out for 36 in the second innings of the first Test and went on to lost the match by eight wickets. In the second Test, India will be aiming to bounce back in the game and win the match in order to keep the series alive.