Will play third Test even if I am not 100% fit: David Warner

by IANS |

Melbourne, Jan 2 (IANS) Australia opener David Warner on Saturday said that he will be doing everything possible to get on the ground for the third Test against India in Sydney despite the unlikelihood of him getting 100 per cent fit. Warner added that he will play only if he is able to stretch to take catches in the slips and quick singles while batting.

The Australia opening batsman, who was ruled out of the first two Test matches after suffering a groin injury during the second ODI on November 29, has undergone rehabilitation taking jabs, using hyperbaric oxygen chamber and penguin cryotherapy for quick recovery.

"Am I going to be a 100 per cent? It is highly doubtful. But I will be doing everything I can to be able to get on that park and play and even if I am not a 100 per cent I will let the selectors give me that green light," Warner told the media on Saturday morning during a virtual interaction.

Warner says that he will get a clear idea of where he stands during the training sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

"We have a training session today and tomorrow. I can't give you any more indication of where I am at. I haven't ran the last couple of days but today and tomorrow will give me a better indication of where I am," he added.

The dashing batsman said that playing his shots is not a worry but it is the running between the wickets and taking catches in slips by moving to his right and left that will matter eventually in deciding if he is fit to play.

"Batting in the nets the other day actually helped me because I had to wait for the ball to be in my actual area. I mean I didn't have to throw my hand at it, so that actually made me play nice and tight. You are going to have some restrictions here and there. But I think when you are getting into the game, adrenaline takes over as well. You don't cast any doubt over your ability to play shots," he said.

"For me, it is about the speed between wickets. That is all that matters. It doesn't matter about what shots I can and can't play. It is about drop and run, helping the guy at the other end get off-strike. They are the things that I work on. They are the things that I like to be 100% fit for. In this case I am not going to be but I am going to work out myself in the nets on how I am going to manage that. That is going to be the most important thing for myself and the team," Warner added.

The 34-year-old batsman, who captains SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League added that he will also not play if he is unable to move in the slips to take catches moving to his right and left.

"I know I can manage the shot-making… it is whether or not I have the capacity of catching the ball left and right of myself and with Gazza (Nathan Lyon) bowling. Am I going to field at first slip or leg slip? I have got to be agile enough to make sure that I am taking those chances because if I am not, given the 50% of the time of the Test that I (and Australia) will on the field, I don't want to be dropping those chances and not giving our team the best chance of taking them. That is all it comes down to," he said ahead of the third Test that will be telecast live on Sony Six, Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 3 channels from January 7.

Latest News
Ludhiana court awards death penalty to woman for burying alive toddler Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 02:43 PM
As BJP hopes to retain Vadodara, Congress determined to give a fight Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 02:21 PM
PM Modi took decisive steps to bring peace in Northeast: BJP chief Nadda Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 02:19 PM
NC leader Mian Altaf files nomination for J&K's Anantnag-Rajouri LS seat Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 02:18 PM
Australian unemployment rate rises to 3.8 pc in March Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 01:42 PM
South Korea to hold meeting of diplomatic missions next week Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 01:42 PM
Bitcoin scam case: ED attaches assets worth over Rs 97 cr of Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 01:37 PM
Lungs of young adults more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus: Study Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:59 PM
Why excess sugar, oil are as dangerous for liver as alcohol Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:56 PM
Bayern edge Arsenal to reach Champions League semifinal Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:55 PM
Champions League: Man City's treble hopes end after losing to Real Madrid in QF Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:55 PM
Ex-Australia cricketer Stuart Law named head coach of USA men's cricket team Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:54 PM
Two-time world champion Kento Momota announces retirement from international badminton Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:53 PM
VerSe Innovation acquires global digital newsstand Magzter Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:52 PM
Google sacks 28 employees involved in protests over Israel govt contract Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:48 PM