Ashes 2021/22: David Warner wins fitness battle for Adelaide as Jhye Richardson gets second Test nod

While his opening partner battles injury, the equation is simple for Marcus Harris. He needs runs in Adelaide. We were there for his final net session.

David Warner can breathe easy – England’s battery of pace bowlers will not target his bruised ribs when the sore batsman soldiers through the second Test at Adelaide Oval.

Legendary quick Jimmy Anderson – who is set to bolster England’s attack in the day-night match – said the devastating left-hander posed such an alarming threat that it would be foolish to disrupt their bowling plans because of a niggle.

“We know how good (Warner) is, we saw that in the first Test,” Anderson, 39, said..

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James Anderson can’t wait to rip into the Aussies.

“It’s not an area we think, ‘Well, we have to target that because he might have a sore rib’.

“We’ll just be trying to get him out like we normally do.”

Anderson thought Warner and Marnus Labuschagne left deliveries masterfully at the Gabba.

While some fiery bowling might unsettle Warner, it could also backfire for England – and quickly if Warner is in a mood.

Warner did not feature in the nets on Wednesday and appeared to be in serious discomfort on Tuesday night, struggling particularly against a couple of short balls.

Warner navigated that brief session without painkillers, which are an option for this Test. He would’ve received an injection to bat in the second innings at the Gabba if required..

A little bit of soreness in the nets won’t stop David Warner.

“He’ll be fine once adrenaline kicks in,” captain Pat Cummins said.

“It’s one thing batting in the nets, it’s a different thing with a packed crowd.

“He’s played close to 90 Tests, I’m sure a lot of them have been played in discomfort.”

Warner’s availability is pleasing news for Marcus Harris, who has the chance to lock in Australia’s batting order for the foreseeable future.

Travis Head slammed the door shut on the No.5 position with last week’s match-defining 152 and Warner’s absence would’ve given Usman Khawaja the chance to audition.

Harris nicked two throwdowns from assistant coach Jeff Vaughan and played and missed at another one early in his nets session.

Harris then called out: “Don’t you dare appeal” when a pink ball whizzed past and flicked the material on his pocket.

Justin Langer will be hoping the runs flow for Marcus Harris.

Coach Justin Langer joined the net and heaped praise on Harris, screaming out: “Yeah, baby!” after several attacking shots.

Langer also made a slight adjustment to Harris’s head position and called out “good choice to leave” when he pulled out of a shot.

Harris appeared to grow in confidence by the ball and Langer will be hoping the runs flow for the left-hander in Adelaide.

Harris is still searching for a maiden Test century after 11 matches and the Aussies are desperate for him and Warner to gel, having opened the batting in five Tests together.

Langer – an expert in opening partnerships – wants Harris and Warner to develop chemistry at the crease that makes opposition attacks weak.

He put his arm around Harris at the end of the session and walked him out of the net.

Originally published as Ashes 2021/22: David Warner wins fitness battle for Adelaide as Jhye Richardson gets second Test nod