AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA 2020-21
David Warner missed the first two tests due to injury © Getty
David Warner has been named to the Australia team for the remaining two events against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, while Joe Burns has been eliminated.
Australia Squad: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc , Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
Warner, who had been ruled out of the first two tests due to injury, had progressed slowly to full fitness. While coach Justin Langer had voiced some doubts about his mobility prior to the Melbourne Test, he is expected to regain his place in the eleven for the Sydney Test from 7 January.
“David has come a long way in his recovery from injury and will have every opportunity to play in Sydney with another seven days until the game,” coach Trevor Hohns said in a statement from Cricket Australia.
Hohns also expressed disappointment at Burns’ below-average performance in the two tests, saying: “Unfortunately, Joe’s performances have not been what he or the selectors wanted or what we believe he is capable of.”
In addition to Warner’s return, the 18-member team sees the return of Will Pucovski and Sean Abbott. Pucovski, who was in line for a test debut at the beginning of the series, was sidelined after receiving a blow to the head during practice play. Pucovski, who has had a history of concussion-related injuries (9 in total), was said to be “symptom free.”
“Will is in the final stages of graduated return-to-play protocols and has been symptom-free for some time. He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completion of return-to-play protocols and independent evaluation,” Hohns said.
© Cricbuzz
