Australia v India: David Warner out of second Test with concussion, replaced by Matthew Renshaw
Australia’s second Test plans are in turmoil with opener David Warner ruled out due to concussion. And, in another development, the medical team has discovered a hairline fracture elsewhere.
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David Warner’s short and long-term future is under a cloud after a fractured elbow diagnosis compounded his withdrawal from the second Test with concussion.
On a dramatic day in Delhi, Warner was replaced in the Australian XI by Matthew Renshaw under international cricket’s concussion protocols, after the opener was struck in the head batting on the first day.
Warner was said to be dizzy and did not even appear on the team balcony.
In a worrying development, Warner was sent for scans as well given he also copped an equally brutal blow to his elbow on day one, as the braveness of his 44-ball stay at the crease was laid bare.
A nasty bouncer by Siraj to Warner and the next over Shami gets him. 🔥#INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/pSiXsAp84i
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) February 17, 2023
As revealed first by News Corp, Warner has a hairline fracture of his arm.
Sources say it would not have prevented him batting again in the Test if it wasn’t for the concussion.
Warner is out of this Test and it is unclear from a medical standpoint whether the 36-year-old will be available for the third Test in Indore — although time is on his side with a long break between matches.
The double injury blow has come at a precarious time in Warner’s career where he was struggling in the face of India’s relentless spin and pace bowling — although selectors have maintained all summer that they want the experienced run-making champion there for the Ashes later this year.
Cricket Australia confirmed News Corp’s exclusive report after the team arrived at the ground.
“David Warner will take no further part in the second Test match against India in Delhi having been diagnosed with concussion,” it said in a statement.
“He will be replaced in the team by Matthew Renshaw.
“Warner was struck on the helmet by fast bowler Mohammed Siraj in the tenth over of play.
“He subsequently demonstrated symptoms and failed a concussion test.
“Warner will now follow the graduated return to sport protocols ahead of the third Test in Indore in line with Cricket Australia guidelines.”
Warner was struck flush on the jaw when a short ball from Mohammed Siraj caught the top edge as he attempted a pull shot at the end of the 10th over.
A clatter of helmet could be heard in the stump mic and the opener walked away from the wicket.
He removed his helmet but did not flinch or feel for the injury, much as he refused to show any pain when struck on the arm by the same bowler in his previous over.
The batsman had been struck a sharp blow by Siraj andWarner was in clear discomfort. Play was held up for some time as he spoke to the doctor.
At a break soon after, the arm hung limply by his side and the pain was obvious.
Warner was attended by team doctor Leigh Golding following the head blow.
The 36-year-old apparently passed a basic cognitive test after being hit but complained of a headache and failed a secondary test on Friday night.
Warner is reportedly in good spirits and although he did not catch the team bus to the ground, arrived for play.
He earlier failed a fitness test on the morning of the second day and joined a long list of players unable to take the field.
“The medical staff will have to assess tomorrow, he is a little bit weary at the moment,” Usman Khawaja said after play on day one.
“He got a knock to the arm and then the head, I think the head made him a little bit weary at the moment and couldn’t come out to field.
“The staff will have to figure out what happens from here.”
Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green both failed fitness tests after flying in for the second Test and selectors were forced to name a side with only one seamer.
CRASH: HOW LONG CAN AUSSIES CARRY WARNER?
Robert Craddock
David Warner is set to be given a chance to play for his future but must subdue the crafty genius who has made an art form of tormenting left-handers like no other bowler.
Warner appears likely to be retained for the Delhi Test and, for all of his struggles apart from his recent double century in Melbourne, that would be a fair call given his exceptional overall record for Australia.
If he fails in this Test, Warner is still likely to get another one.
Tough conversations are looming but Australia is willing Warner towards a farewell Ashes tour this year and he will not be axed without the deepest consideration.
Pat Cummins dropped a hint Warner will come out swinging in Delhi but it won’t be easy against one particularly crafty rival with a multitude of game plans.
“You saw this year at the Boxing Day Test when he puts pressure back in the opposition he’s pretty hard to bowl to,’’ Cummins said of Warner.
“You don’t get as many good balls and he knows that. I am sure that would be part of his plan.’’
Every long serving Test great has a couple of bowlers who rise above the pack to provide them with the most immense challenges of their careers.
Warner’s most notorious foe is English seamer Stuart Broad who has dismissed him 13 times in Tests.
The next man on the list is mesmeric Indian off-spinner Ravi Ashwin with 11 at a cost of 17 apiece including a second innings lbw in the first Test in Nagpur.
The duo have had some spirited battles and Warner is not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to being tested by Ashwin, who licks his chops whenever a leftie comes to the crease.
Ashwin has bagged more left-handers wickets than any bowler in Test history – easily – with his 229 leftie scalps comfortably leaving behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (191) despite the fact Murali took 800 Test wickets all-up to Ashwin’s 457.
On the list of batsmen Ashwin has dismissed most, amazingly, the top 11 are lefties.
Warner and Ben Stokes (also 11) head a list including the likes Alastair Cook (9), Ed Cowan (7), and Dean Elgar (6).
Of the first 70 lefties Ashwin bowled to in Tests, only eight were not dismissed by him.
This does not mean he cannot be conquered. But it is never an easy task and Warner will earn rich praise if he can do it in Delhi as he fights to cement his Test place for the final two Tests and the Ashes tour.
Ashwin likes going around the wicket to the lefties, drilling in on off-stump and mixing balls that go straight on with those that turn.
This is why, of the 11 times he has dismissed Warner, eight have been lbw or bowled.
No other Test bowler has dismissed Warner more than three times lbw.
Ashwin has done so six times. It’s that pad-seeking straight ball – which looks so innocent but drips with poison — that so often does the damage.
Warner’s challenge is to decide in what gear to play Ashwin.
Does he attack? Does he simply try and keep him at bay as he did in the second innings in Nagpur for a while before falling to him lbw?
Ashwin will bowl with the new ball so the challenge will come early.
The victor of this captivating contest may well shape the match’s destiny.
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