Published: Jul 08, 2016, 01:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 08, 2016, 03:44 PM (IST)
David Warner, who has been out of action due to a broken finger, has suggested that he will be fit and ready for Australia’s first Test against Sri Lanka, starting from July 26. Warner fractured his left hand’s index finger during fielding in a match against West Indies in the recently ended Tri-Nation Series 2016 in the Caribbean. Australia won the tri-series by beating the hosts West Indies in the final. However Australia hope Warner’s return for the First-Class tour match even if he misses the two-day game. The First-Class match will be played just before the first Test. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test at Kandy
According to ESPNCricnfo, the Australian opener said, “I’ve done it before (Going into a Test with no warm-up games). I’ve picked up a bat and gone back out there and tried to play to the best of my abilities. Sometimes it comes off. You always want some time in the nets.”
Warner, who was told not to bat for nearly a month however is more concerned about fielding for Australia in the slips. “The biggest thing for me is the fielding aspect. I field in the slips, so I’m going to have to try taking a handful of catches there to make sure it’s nice and warm,” Warner added. READ: SL vs AUS 2016: Warner doubtful for warm-up matches
Meanwhile, the Australian coach Darren Lehmann was equally confident about Warner featuring in Australia’s first Test on the Sri Lankan tour. “He will be fine. He probably won’t play the two-day game but should play the First-Class game — the tour game before we play the first Test. Even if he didn’t, I am not too worried about that. He is one of these guys who picks up a bat quite quickly.
“He has had broken fingers and injuries before, and we have just plugged him back into Test cricket and he is fine. We would like him to play the tour game and, hopefully, medically he can, but if he can’t, I am not too stressed. As long as he is available for the first Test,” Lehmann said.
“For myself, I’ve said in the past, less is more. I prefer to go into a lot of the games fresh. I don’t usually hit a lot leading into any series or any game. I just like to go in there and bat for 20 minutes or so.”
