AUS vs ENG 2018: David Warner Sick; Rains Disrupts Australia's Training ahead of Melbourne ODI

David Warner’s stomach bug and a washed out training session have kept Australia’s preparation on a halt ahead of the series opener against England on Sunday.

Host Australia will play five fifty-over games against England, starting in Melbourne on January 14th.

Warner along with skipper Steven Smith and other cricketers from the Test squad reached Melbourne on Thursday. Warner fell ill and skipped the training session, as he decided to stay at the hotel and take some rest.

However, the medical staffs are confident that Warner will be fit to play the series opener on Sunday.

Pacer Josh Hazlewood is set to be rested in the first ODI with uncapped West Australian quicks Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye battling to replace him. Pat Cummins will be given a break in the second ODI and Mitchell Starc to be given rest later at some point in the series.

The squad will train a bit longer on Saturday after persistent rain denied them the chance to practice outdoors at the MCG on Friday. However, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis said there were no concerns about the team’s preparation.

“The T20 boys trained yesterday. It was only half of us, but we got a good hitout. We’ll have a good hitout tomorrow. We train all year, every day, thinking about cricket and that sort of thing so hopefully missing a training session here and there isn’t a big deal,” Stoinis remarked.

Stoinis was dropped from the Champions Trophy squad but came back stronger during Australia’s tour to India. He will be one of the many options in the middle-order anchored by Smith, Warner, and Aaron Finch.

Cameron White will certainly play after earning a shock recall to replace the injured Chris Lynn, while Tim Paine is set to wear the gloves after a strong Ashes series. That leaves Stoinis, Mitch Marsh, and Travis Head to fight for the two remaining spots. The 28-year-old was elated to see White back in the national set-up.

“He is one of the smartest players in Australian cricket, if not international cricket. I remember six years ago pre-season, every morning he’d send me a message saying ‘What are we doing this morning? Why are we doing it? What are you looking to get out of it?

“So it’s no wonder why he’s so good, and I’m stoked for him to have the chance to get back into the Aussie colors,” Stoinis signed off.

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