Dominant ODI series gives Australia psychological edge over India despite David Warner’s injury

Despite an injury to David Warner, batting dominance in the ODI series has given Australia a psychological edge over India for the summer.

David Warner is helped from the SCG after hurting his adductor on Sunday. Picture: David Gray / AFP

The Australians have “100 per cent” delivered a psychological blow to India by dominating the one-day series, according to Marnus Labuschagne, despite a potentially serious injury to David Warner.

Labuschagne has thrown his hat into the ring to replace Warner at the top of the order in the final ODI on Wednesday, if asked, as the team sweats on results of the scans the opener had on Sunday.

Warner, who made 83 at the SCG, limped off the ground and into a waiting car to undergo scans at a nearby hospital after appearing to badly hurt his adductor muscle while fielding.

He’s certain to miss Wednesday’s final one-day international and most likely the three Twenty20 matches against India that will precede the four-Tets series.

Labuschagne said he “hoped” Warner would be back in time for the Test series, which begins in Adelaide on December 17.

“He has been a massive part of us winning this series and it’s not great that we have lost him. Like anything, it provides an opportunity for someone else to step up in the top order and make runs,” Labuschagne said on Monday.

“There is always an opportunity for someone else when something like that happens. We hope that Davey gets a speedy recovery and he is back as soon as we can get him.

“I hope he is back for the Test series, but I am not a physio or doctor. For us, we need to make sure we adapt for this last one-dayer.”

Marnus Labuschagne says the Aussies have the edge over India. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Australia will need to reshuffle the batting line-up to replace Warner in Canberra on Wednesday, with Matthew Wade or Alex Carey potentially moved to open with captain Aaron Finch.

But Labuschagne, who made 70 on Sunday coming in at No 4, said he would “love” to open.

“If I got asked to open the batting absolutely. It’s an opportunity I would enjoy doing,” he said.

The Aussies have piled totals of 4-389 and 6-374 through two ODI games, with twin centuries from Steve Smith, each off 62 deliveries, leading the way.

It’s a performance Labuschagne said could have an effect when the teams clash for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the home side had a psychological edge.

“100 per cent. I think cricket is a massive confidence game. Even though it is a different format, it‘s still gives you a lot confidence when you are scoring runs consistently,“ he said.

“The way Steve and Davey are batting currently, I have no doubt they will be able to transfer that into the Test summer. But, right now, there is still a lot of games to be played before that.”