The starter knows that he will not be in top form but he is doing his best to play the third test.
The next 48 hours will be key in determining whether David Warner will be fit enough to take his place on the Australia side for Test 3 against India in Sydney with his skill on the field as important as what he can do with the bat.
Warner admitted that it is unlikely that he has made a 100% recovery from his groin injury, regardless of how the next few days go. He is aware of not being a drag on the team despite the enthusiasm for his return, but is confident that he will be able to handle the hitting side of the game. Australia’s next two training sessions at MCG on Saturday and Sunday will give a clearer indication of where it stands.
“I’ll do everything I can to get into that park and play, even if it means I’m not 100%,” he said. “It’s about being smart this time around. If I feel like I can fulfill my duties, whether it’s standing on the slide cord, taking catches to my right and left … I think that’s what will determine whether or not I play. .
“I know I can handle the race between terrains, the shot I have, is if I have the ability to catch the balls left and right. With Gazza [Nathan Lyon] bowling, will I go to the field on the first slide or leg slide? I have to be agile enough to make sure I take those risks.
“It will have some restrictions here and there. When you enter the game, the adrenaline kicks in. For me it’s all about my speed between terrains, that’s all that matters, no matter what shots I can and can’t play. It’s about the drop. -and-run, help the guy on the other side out of the strike. These are the things I like to be 100% fit for. In this case, I most likely am not, but I have to find out how I’m doing to handle that. “
Warner has been doing extensive rehabilitation since sustaining the groin injury in the second ODI in late November, which included the use of a hypobaric chamber to increase oxygen intake and cryotherapy, where ice is applied directly to the tendon. injured.
“I had a couple of strokes to ease the pain,” he said. “The first two weeks were quite challenging, it was difficult to get around in bed and get in and out of the car. When it comes to these tendon issues, they stick around for a while and it’s pretty hard to get over that pain threshold. I’m trying to manage that and we are doing everything possible to accelerate that process. “
In Warner’s absence, Australia’s higher order has struggled to prevail in this series with its unusually slow running pace, although the bowling from both sides has been impressive on surfaces and offers more assist than is often the case. Warner said hitters were driving a fine line when trying to score freely, but said it was about more than just shooting.
“It’s the loud call, the way his shoulders are back, it’s in the bowler’s face, he’s trying to alter his line and length,” he said. “It has its challenges, but sometimes you have to play out of the square and a little brave. I’ve always said it since the day, I’d rather swing down than sit on the crease. If I’m able to get out there, I’ll have that intention. like I’ve always had it. Applying a little pressure there can release the tension from the other end, it helps your partner.
“On the other hand, if they’re bowling well, you have to respect that and that’s what has happened in the last two trials. The batsmen have gone into that period of trying to hit time, so it has dictated that race pace. . I can’t do anything about whether the attack goes well. You’ll have to take one shot somewhere … if you miss, someone says it’s a bad shot. If you hit four, it’s a great shot. That’s why I love it, I live By the sword, I die by the sword when I’m out there with the bat. “
Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor of ESPNcricinfo
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