David Warner admits major mistake in India Test series ahead of long-awaited cricket return

David Warner says he did ‘what I thought was best for the team’ when returning for the final two Tests against India this summer. He now realises it was a big mistake.

Test opener David Warner has his eyes on some big runs for NSW this week as he makes his cricketing return. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Star batsman David Warner has conceded he rushed back too quickly to play in the Test series against India after suffering a groin injury which isn’t yet 100 per cent healed, even after an extra six weeks of recovery time.

Warner revealed he suffered “painful” tears in his lower abdomen and groin after diving in the field in a one-day game against India at the SCG last November.

He was forced to miss the opening two Tests against the Indians as he recovered before returning for the final two, playing hurt, as the Aussies lost the series 2-1.

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Warner said he felt “pretty good” now but needed a cortisone injection this week to aid his return for NSW in both a one-day and Sheffield Shield match against South Australia in Adelaide.

He said he felt like he needed to help the Australians as he made his return at the top of the batting order in the Test series, but probably shouldn’t have.

“I made the call to play those Test matches. I felt I needed to be out there,” Warner said on Wednesday.

“It put me back a little bit. Looking back in hindsight, I probably wouldn’t have done that.

“If I‘m thinking about myself and the injury, I probably would have said no.

“I did what I felt was best for the team.”

Warner, who has conceded he would be limited by the injury for some time, but only slightly, said he was in “horrible” pain when he first hurt himself.

David Warner says he didn’t do himself any favours by coming back from injury too soon.

“It was like I got kicked in the nuts. It was horrible. I’d never felt anything like it,” he said.

“It was a lower ab tear with two other tears in my groin. It was quite painful.”

He said because of the pain he wasn’t able to get in the rehab work he needed to do before returning for the SCG Test in January.

Even nearly six weeks later, having not played since the fourth Test at the Gabba in January, he said he was still working back to full fitness.

“For me to get back on the park was a lot of strength work … speed work, which I couldn’t get in before those Tests, I just couldn’t do it,” he said.

“I feel pretty good (now). The other day I went and had a jab, a cortisone, so I have been running freely.

“I’m pretty much at 100 per cent running in straight lines. Now it’s about the side-to-side, lateral movement.

“I’m not going to do further damage, it’s just going to be a little niggle for a little while. There’s not much I can do about it.”

NSW coach Phil Jaques said it was a bonus to have Warner back.

“We all know Davey‘s quality as a player in all formats, and it’s great to see him back for the Blues for this game,” Jaques said.

“He has worked really hard on his rehab and has been great around the group when he’s been at training. It will be fantastic to have his experience around the team over the coming weeks.”

Test fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are also back for the NSW Shield team, but Pat Cummins will only play the one-day game.

Starc missed the last Shield match against Victoria following the death of his father, while Hazlewood was rested.

NCA Newswire