Opener David Warner has been cleared fit for Australia‘s Ashes 2019 opener at Edgbaston after bruising his knee in training on Monday. Warner, who inside-edged a ball on to his left knee during a net session, will walk out for his first Test since the ball-tampering scandal.
“He’s fine. He would not miss this for anything in the world, I reckon. He can’t wait,” Australia head coach Justin Langer said of Warner at Tuesday’s press conference.
“There’s no way that he’s not walking out to bat. He was a bit stiff this morning, but he’ll be 100 per cent ready go.”
James Pattinson has been inked in for his first match for Australia since February 2016, after head coach Justin Langer told reporters on Tuesday that three fast bowlers are competing for one spot in the visiting team’s XI for the Ashes opener against England this week.
Langer also confirmed that Usman Khawaja has been passed fit for selection and will play at Edgbaston.
Speaking ahead of the first Test starting Thursday, Langer stated that Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle are fighting for one open spot, which means that Pattinson will line up with Pat Cummins as two confirmed quicks.
“Starcy, Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood for one spot. Three pretty good players to try to find a spot for. All three are great or very, very good bowlers aren’t they?” said Langer.
This marks a successful comeback to the Test team for Pattinson, who played the last of his 17 Tests well over three years ago before injuries sidelined him.
Having undergone back surgery in November 2017 after a series of injuries, Pattinson returned to Sheffield Shield cricket a year later and in his first match he made a strong start with three wickets at the MCG. He took nine wickets in four matches before the Big Bash League break, and then suffered a side strain while playing for Brisbane Heat.
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