Australia v India 2nd Test: Will Pucovski, David Warner unlikely to be cleared for MCG showdown

Australia’s selection issues for the Boxing Day Test against India have been made a little easier after the latest updates on the availability of three key players.

Joe Burns and Matthew Wade look set for another go at the top of the order.

Will Pucovski will be ruled out of the Boxing Day Test, but in a major boost Joe Burns has been cleared of a broken arm.

David Warner is also highly doubtful to prove his fitness to return at the MCG, meaning Australia are set to retain Burns and Matthew Wade as their openers.

India are yet to confirm the injury to fast bowler Mohammed Shami, but sources say he has suffered a fractured arm and will miss the rest of the series in a massive blow to the tourists which affects their chances of staying alive as much as Virat Kohli’s return home.

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Joe Burns and Matthew Wade look set for another go at the top of the order.

Selectors had hoped that both Pucovski and Warner might be able to push their case for the second Test, but Australia will stick with an unchanged line-up in Melbourne.

It’s understood Pucovski is yet to return to the nets since suffering a concussion almost two weeks ago, but Australian sources say he is making very encouraging improvements.

Medical staff will take a very conservative approach with his rehabilitation given his worrying long-term history of head knocks.

Pucovski may not play a Test this summer, although Australia believe he is progressing well.

Will Pucovski is yet to get back into the nets.

There are some fears for his long-term future given he has already suffered nine concussions.

Above all the feeling is he will not be rushed.

It’s an agonising situation for Pucovski and his family, but one that he has handled with rare maturity for a 22-year-old rising star.

Warner has to be able to reach certain running speeds to play in Melbourne, but it’s highly likely he won’t return until at least the third Test.

Warner hasn’t played since injurying his groin during the ODI series.

But the pressure has been taken out of the situation to a large extent given the manner in which Australia won the first Test and the fact Burns found some much-needed form in the final innings, where he hit 51 not out and the winning runs.

Wade didn’t make a big score but did look as though he had the temperament for opening and was not overawed by the experience.

The big unanswered question is what might happen to Wade once Warner does return?

Selectors have shown with the faith they’ve put in Burns that they value incumbency, and perhaps Wade would be allowed to simply return to his former position in the middle-order.