A groin injury that has yet to heal and Cricket Australia’s strict biosecurity protocols ruled out Australia’s starter David Warner from the second round of the four-game series against India in Melbourne, starting December 26. . Warner, who was recovering well after failing a pair of ODIs and the first test against India, but Australia’s cricket table confirmed that the southpaw will not be available to be selected for the Boxing Day test.
All-rounder Sean Abbott was also ruled out due to a calf injury he sustained during the preparation match against India in the run-up to the test series.
Both players had flown to Melbourne prior to the state border closures following a Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney and will now join the team ahead of the third test, which is scheduled to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting on the 7th. from January.
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“Cricket Australia’s biosecurity protocols do not allow them to rejoin the team in time for the Boxing Day event,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“Warner has not fully recovered from a groin injury suffered in the ODI Series against India and would not have been available for the second test,” he said.
“Abbott has recovered from a calf strain suffered during the Athletics Australia tour game against India and would have been available for selection for the Boxing Day test.”
The unavailability of Warner and Abbott makes it almost certain that Australia will present an unchanged XI that beat India comprehensively by 8 wickets in the first test in Adelaide to take a 1-0 lead. While Abbott might not have found a spot in the XI even if he was fit to play, Warner’s injury ensures that Joe Burns and Matthew Wade will continue to lead the batting for Australia in the Boxing Day Test.
(With input from Reuters)
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