Australia v India: Why the Aussies will risk David Warner fit or not

Making a score will only be half the impact Australia hopes he makes as the under-fire hosts prepare to welcome back David Warner even if the opener is only partially fit.

Australia is desperate for the killer instinct of David Warner at the top of the order.

Australia is prepared to gamble on a partially fit David Warner for the Sydney Test, as they crave his mojo as much as his runs.

It’s less than six weeks since Warner’s serious groin tear, but he will be welcomed back at less than 100 per cent fitness so desperate are Australia for his attacking mongrel at the top of the order.

Ex-greats like Ricky Ponting have slammed the underperforming Australian top six for making themselves sitting ducks for India’s well-calculated plans, and Warner is being looked to as the man to right the ship.

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Can David Warner curb his natural instincts if he’s operating at less than 100 per cent?

Even a physically restricted Warner will go after the bowling and lift the tempo of the dressing room.

Australia are craving a big score from the SCG run-machine, but even without one, it’s felt Warner’s presence can help the other key pieces Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith rediscover their identity.

Taking any player into a Test match at less than 100 per cent is a risk, but at 1-1 it’s one Australia is willing to take.

“That’s a real clear option that he may not be 100 per cent fit. Who is coming off an injury?

You never know until you get out there,” said Australia assistant coach Andrew McDonald.

“If he’s 90 or 95 per cent fit and that conversation is that he’s fit enough to be able to perform his duties for the team, then I’m sure that will be a conversation the coach has with the player.

Warner’s inclusion will lift moral in the dressing room.

“Most times Justin is pretty open with the players, giving them accountability around that.

“We’ll get a good steer on that when he comes into camp for the training on the 2nd and 3rd (of January).

“Once we get our eyes on him and put him through some specific tests … I think the information will become clear. He’s very optimistic he should be ready to go which is great news.”

Warner has an extraordinary record on home soil and has done some of his finest work at the SCG, the ground just a few kilometres from where he grew up in a Matraville housing commission flat.

Three summers ago, he smashed a hundred in the first session of a Test against Pakistan as an example of how quickly he can influence a game.

The moment Australia's summer took a big hit when Warner injured himself in a one-dayer.

There is a feeling that Australia’s top order have been too meek against a world-class Indian outfit, and Warner is being looked to as the team barometer.

“We’re really excited to have him back. I’m sure he’s excited to come back into that group as well,” McDonald said.

“There’s nothing worse than being injured when you’re at the top of your game as David has been for a period of time.”

Warner is a dynamic runner between the wickets and fieldsman, and it will be hard for him to curb his natural instincts if he’s operating at less than 100 per cent.

McDonald indicated Warner would be the prime candidate to not only take Joe Burns’ place in the batting order, but to replace him at first slip as well.

Australia could certainly protect Warner more if he was at slip and not marshalling the infield at mid-off.

Will Pucovski won’t have played a match for a month since he was last concussed.

PUCOVSKI LIKELY TO BE THROWN IN DEEP END AS AN OPENER

Will Pucovski is set to be thrown into the face of Jasprit Bumrah and a bouncy new ball if he is passed fit for one of the most keenly anticipated debuts in Test history.

Selectors are expected to make an early call on whether Pucovski will be handed his baggy green, as he prepares to re-enter the nets to face the Aussie quicks in Melbourne on Saturday.

Pucovski won’t have played a match for a month since he was concussed for the ninth time in his young career by a short ball in a tour match against the Indians at Drummoyne Oval.

Pucovski’s concussion history gives selectors plenty to contemplate this week.

But the feeling out of the Australian camp is he will be thrust straight into the deep end as an opener if he plays, despite his background also as a middle-order batsman.

That means the smart money is on Matthew Wade being shifted back to the middle-order for the third Test, and Travis Head on the verge of being axed if Pucovski is given the green light to open with David Warner at the SCG.

Pucovski’s worrying history with concussion gives selectors plenty to contemplate this week, because passing return to play protocols doesn’t change the fact there are fears over his long-term health if he continues to suffer serious head knocks.

Australian assistant coach Andrew McDonald knows Pucovski better than most and says trust will be put in the 22-year-old to determine whether he is mentally ready for a baptism of fire.

But if a debut does come, it will almost certainly be as an opener — a position he only has three matches experience in at first-class level.

“That’s a conversation that’s not been had, especially with myself in the room. The selectors met yesterday so they may have been through some scenarios around batting positions. But in my mind he’s being considered for that opening role,” McDonald said.

“He’s done it for Victoria and with Joe Burns going out and Will being added back, I’d suggest it would be the opening position that will be discussed.”

McDonald said despite the fact Pucovski has a history of concussion, his experience at Victoria is the kid responds well when he returns.

“There’s no doubt that would be a consideration, whether he’s ready or not. We do know with the history that Will has had, and with my time with him at Victoria coming off such incidents, he’s always been able to return,” McDonald said.

“I think he’s had a pretty good track record of performing when he has returned. I think they’ll put a bit of trust into the player around whether he’s mentally ready and clearly it will be up to the coach once he lays eyes on him to see where he’s at in terms of being skill ready.

“It will be the first time, if he was selected, that he would be going from first-class into the Test arena, which is always a difficult leap for players to make.

“History would suggest that (if) he says he’s right to perform he’s done it a few times and had a good return, so I’d suggest there will be trust put into the player if he was considered.”

The third Test doesn’t kick off in Sydney until next Thursday, but despite the marathon build-up, McDonald expects a quick call on Pucovski will be beneficial for all involved.

McDonald said despite the fact Matthew Wade had impressed as an opener, his best position was in the middle-order — but a definitive decision on whether Warner and Pucovski open together won’t be far away.

“I think we’ll get some real clarity on where everyone is at and the earlier the selection panel or the head coach can make that decision, he’ll be looking to make it as early as possible to settle things down as well,” McDonald said.