David Warner injured at Ashes training trying to take a catch

VIDEO: Selectors could face another agonising decision if Australia’s most dangerous weapon David Warner fails to train on Wednesday at the Gabba.

David Warner holds onto his neck at an Australian Cricket team training session at the Gabba, in Brisbane, Tuesday, November 21, 2017. Australia will take on England on Thursday in the first Test of the Ashes series at the Gabba in Brisbane. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING

UPDATE: Selectors could face another agonising decision if Australia’s most dangerous weapon David Warner fails to train on Wednesday at the Gabba.

All eyes will be centred on Australia’s final net session on Wednesday morning in Brisbane, with Warner fighting to shrug off severe neck pain and prove he’s ready to lead his side into Ashes battle.

Warner declared on Tuesday he would not be missing the first Test over a stiff neck, but much will depend on how he has responded to extensive physio treatment overnight and if he can pad up and bat in a crucial final hit-out.

David Warner showing discomfort at Ashes training.

The drama occurred on Tuesday when Warner took an overhead catch at training and felt his neck twinge, and he was later unable to bat.

Medical staff will be sweating on a quick turnaround, but it’s likely the world’s premier opener would be given until match morning to prove his fitness, so crucial is he to Australia’s fortunes.

Cricket Australia said last night no decision would be made on a potential standby player until they see how Warner pulls up on Wednesday morning.

LET’S RUMBLE: ‘Pathetic’ Lyon slammed for talking ‘shite’

BANTER: The best Ashes sledges of all time

It took selectors more than two-and-a-half hours to settle on the first Test squad last week, but it’s not out of the question they may be required to convene again today, with Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell to head the list of Plan B candidates should Warner remain in serious doubt on match eve.

If a worst-case scenario prevailed, Shaun Marsh would be expected to shift up to open alongside State teammate Cameron Bancroft, leaving No.6 as the vacancy that would need to be filled.

Warner is such an irreplaceable force that losing him from a Test would rival Glenn McGrath’s late withdrawal in 2005 on the Richter scale of Ashes disasters.

The game-breaking superstar has never missed a Test match through injury in his entire 66-Test career and remains confident his body will come good.

“I don’t think a sore neck is going to slow me down,” Warner said.

David Warner receiving treatment from the medical staff.

“My neck is quite stiff. I took a high ball out there and something just twinged in my neck. I’m just getting a bit of physio treatment at the moment and hopefully it settles down in the next 24 to 48 hours.

“I haven’t really had a stiff neck like this one. I’ll obviously get some treatment on it and a heat pack on it.”

Warner received immediate treatment from Australian team physio David Beakley, but after facing two balls of throwdowns in the nets, he was forced to give up.

“It was more of an alignment thing. I couldn’t align myself to face on with (batting coach Graeme Hick),” he said.

“For me, if I’m not being able to face him there is no point because I can’t angle myself and I’ll get into real bad habits. That’s now how I want to train.”

Warner continued to receive treatment through the afternoon.

The gun game-breaker experienced a stiff neck earlier this year after he was struck by a bouncer at a training camp in Darwin, but there’s no suggestion the two incidents are related.

David Warner lasted only two balls in the nets.

If Warner is no good on Wednesday, Matt Renshaw would also be an option should Australia be open to reversing his original axing from the squad, but that would seem a big call.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali is convinced Warner will still lead Australia’s charge.

“I can’t see Warner not playing, he’ll be fine,” Moeen said.

“Even if he had a stiff neck he’d still want to play.”

Meanwhile, Australian captain Steve Smith is firming to make a return to bowling in the first Test after rolling his arm over in the nets on Tuesday.

Smith got a thumbs up from selector Trevor Hohns after delivering his leggies and he looms as an option to take pressure off Australia’s four specialist bowlers.

Australia have been begging for someone in their top six to be able to send down a few overs, and despite his personal hesitations in making a return to bowling, it seems as though Smith is willing to pitch in.

LISTEN! With the Ashes battle set to commence, we dissect the teams both on the field and in the commentary boxes and The Sun’s chief cricket writer John Etheridge gives his take on upcoming hostilities.

You can download Cricket Unfiltered from the iTunes store

Originally published as David Warner injured at Ashes training trying to take a catch