Australia vs India: Justin Langer Says David Warner 'Very Likely' To Play The Third Test

Australia’s first-choice opening batsman David Warner is “very likely” to feature in the third Test of the ongoing series against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, confirmed head coach Justin Langer.

Warner missed the first two Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne due to a groin strain he picked up at the beginning of the summer. With the Test series levelled 1-1, the experienced left-hander will provide a boost to the struggling Australian batting line-up.

Warner Is Very Determined To Play: Langer

“Very hopeful that David will be ready for the third Test, he is a bit of a warrior, isn’t he? I have said this since day one that he is doing everything possible to be ready for the third Test, he looks like he is moving very well, he is very determined to play, he loves the competition and he loves playing Test cricket, we will get some final eyes on him this afternoon during training and we will make a discussion on that. He is looking very likely to play the Test match,” said Langer at the pre-match press conference.

“David has played a lot of white-ball cricket recently, a bit like Steve Smith, David probably has not played any four-day cricket for probably 12 months now. He is a master of the game and his experience will help him through that,” he added.

“David Warner Has Had A Good Rehab, He Might Be A Little Restricted In The Field”: Langer

In a further update on Warner, coach Langer said the Australian team will be taking extra precaution with his field placement. Warner will be positioned in the slips to ensure his body isn’t taking too much workload too soon on a comeback.

“I think David Warner’s batting will be fine, there might be some different movements he might need to make in the field, so we might him get into the slips, I still remember some brilliant catches he took in Leeds in 2019 Ashes, he is a such a natural talent, he is going to be playing with some pain and like a lot of cricketers, you play through some levels of pain, he is willing to take that on and hopefully, it won’t hamper too much,” Langer said.

“If we thought if are taking a big risk of injuring Warner again, we would not be taking the risk. He has had a good rehab, he might be a little restricted in the field, that area might get a little bit fatigued as he has not played Test cricket for a while but we will not risk if we thought he is going to re-injure himself back again,” he added.

The 34-year-old Warner has played 84 Tests for Australia with 7,244 runs at an average of 48.95. He has been especially dangerous for opposition teams in home conditions. The Indian team will come up with plans to try and counter the threat of Warner.