Published: Jul 07, 2016, 03:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 07, 2016, 03:37 PM (IST)
Australia opener David Warner is doubtful for the warm-up matches ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka, but is on the road to recovery to play the first Test at Pallekele. Warner broke his left index finger while batting in the recently concluded tri-nation series in the Caribbean and was immediately sent home to nurse his injury. Warner was in excellent form throughout the series and also scored his first One-Day International (ODI) century away from home. Warner, since returning home has been working on his fitness, so that he is fit to bat when he picks up the bat. Australia coach Darren Lehmann has ruled Warner out for the first warm-up match, but hopes to have him back for the second game. READ: Aaron Finch: David Warner one of the best batters in the world
“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,” Lehmann told Fairfax Media on Thursday. “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.” READ: Steven Smith optimistic of David Warner’s return for Sri Lanka Test series
While skipper Steven Smith spends hours and hours at the nets, Warner has a much relaxed approach. “For me it’s about having rest and getting ready for the next game,” Warner said in St Kitts. “It’s all about not hitting too much for me in the nets. I don’t try and go out there and waste them all in the nets. If I’ve hit them well in 20 minutes, I’ll walk out.”
“That’s just the way I play and so far it’s kept me in good stead in five or six years playing at this level. It’s always worked so there’s no point in changing. When you’re in some form, you’ve got to try and keep riding it because there’s a lot more lows than there are highs in this game,” he added. READ: The rise of David Warner
Australia will play Sri Lanka in a three-match Test series followed by five ODIs and a couple of T20I matches as well. The first Test begins on July 26 at Pallekele.
