Australia’s batting mainstay David Warner has been further ruled out of the second Test match against India which is scheduled to begin on December 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia’s batting mainstay has not fully recovered from the groin injury which he sustained during the second ODI against India following which he also not featured in the T20I series.
Apart from him, Sean Abbott will also be unavailable to play the second Test match although he has been recovered from a calf injury. The reason for his ouster is that the pacer stayed for his recovery in Sydney where there is an outbreak of new COVID-19 strain. And, as a precautionary measure, Cricket Australia has taken the decision to not allow the pacer to rejoin the squad in Melbourne. One of the reasons for David Warner’s ruling out for the second Test was also that albeit the left-hand batsman has no symptom of coronavirus.
“David Warner and Sean Abbott will re-join the Australian men’s Test squad ahead of the third Test against India,” a CA spokesman said.
“Warner and Abbott spent time in Sydney outside the team’s bio-secure hub to recover from injury. While neither player has been in a specific ‘hotspot’ as outlined by NSW Health, Cricket Australia’s biosecurity protocols do not allow them to re-join the squad in time for the Boxing Day Test.
David Warner is going under rehabilitation:
In David Warner’s absence, Matthew Wade played as an opener with Joe Burns. The duo wasn’t successful in setting a big partnership but struggling Burns has found his mojo which is a big positive for Australia
“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 match, while Abbott has recovered from a calf strain sustained during Australia A’s tour match against India and would have been available for selection for the Boxing Day Test.
“The pair travelled from Sydney to Melbourne to continue their rehabilitation given the changing public health situation in Sydney at the time.”
As far as the ongoing Test series is concerned, Australia is leading with 1-0, winning the first Test which was the maiden pink-ball Test against India. They will look to win the second Test to extend the lead.