Australia v India: Selectors must turn to Plan C after Warner, Starc updates

The job for Australia’s Test selectors just got harder thanks to this updated injury and illness news out of the team camp.

Australia's David Warner (C) is assisted by teammate Glenn Maxwell (R) and a trainer as he leaves the field after he suffered an injury during the one-day cricket match against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on November 29, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

David Warner has been officially ruled out of the first Test, but Australia is yet to give up on Will Pucovski.

Warner is targeting a Boxing Day return from a groin injury, however, he won’t travel with the team on Wednesday to Adelaide as he continues his rehabilitation.

Pucovski will stay with the Australia A side for the coming days to continue his recovery from a mild concussion, however, at this stage the plan is for him to still fly to Adelaide after the weekend. Ben McDermott has been named as his replacement.

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David Warner (C) is assisted by teammate Glenn Maxwell (R) and a trainer as he leaves the field after he suffered a groin injury during the one-day cricket match against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Picture: David Gray/AFP

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Australia has not named any replacement players for David Warner, although Marcus Harris would appear likely to join the squad following his appearance for Australia A at the SCG on Friday.

A replacement player will join the Australia A side to take the place of Pucovski.

Pucovski’s latest head knock was greeted with immediate gloom by the Australian camp, but optimism has grown by the hour – and he is yet to be ruled out of Adelaide.

Mitchell Starc also won’t fly with the side to Adelaide on Wednesday due to family illness, and it’s yet to be confirmed when he will join the side.

Will Pucovski was concussed when struck on the helmet playing for Australia A against India A at Drummoyne Oval. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

BREAKING: Ben McDermott called in to replace Will Pucovski in Australia A squad @NewsCorpCricket

— Ben Horne (@BenHorne8) December 9, 2020

Warner is setting his sights for a Boxing Day comeback at the MCG.

“I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it’s best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness,” said Warner.

“The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my teammates that it is 100 per cent ready for Test match conditions.

“That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field. Right now I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference.”

Australian coach Justin Langer is confident about a second Test return for his best opener.

“If there is one guy you know will go well above and beyond that’s Dave,” said Langer.

“He has done an incredible job to get to where he is today and we hope to have a fully fit David Warner at his absolute best in Melbourne.”

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