Selectors to rush back Warner and Pucovski

David Warner and Will Pucovski are set to join teammates as selectors contemplate changes to side after loss to India at MCG

Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane swings the ball to the on-side during his side’s successful run chase to win the second Test at the MCG Picture: Getty Images

Will Pucovski and David Warner will come back into the Australian team bubble as selectors contemplate drastic changes in the wake of a humbling loss to India in Melbourne.

Pucovski, who has been at home recovering from concussion since being hit in a practice game playing for Australia A earlier in the month, is making tentative steps toward a recovery and is an outside chance to make his debut.

He trained at Junction Oval on Tuesday, but will face a more severe examination against the Australian quicks in the lead up to the game. Selectors will be keen to see how the oft-concussed player handles the short ball and if there are any demons remaining from the last blow.

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Pucovski was hit by Indian medium-fast Thangarasu Natarajan at Drummoyne Oval. It would be a brave decision to ask a player to make his debut when he has not played or trained for four weeks, but Australia’s top order is a mess and changes must be made.

Joe Burns is out of sorts and cannot play the third Test, while Travis Head is also a major worry.

Marcus Harris is available to come back in and join Warner at the top of the order which would allow Matthew Wade to return to his usual position in the middle order if two changes are made to the batting line-up.

Warner is in much the same boat as Pucovski and will come back into the bubble after being forced to isolate alone while injured.

He is not fully fit, but has been at the MCG most of the week. He did some sprints on Monday and while he was quick in a straight line, struggled to turn because of the groin strain suffered in Sydney.

He was back again on Tuesday to have some batting practice and captain Tim Paine sounded positive about his prospects after the side was beaten by eight wickets on the fourth day of the Test.

“David looks really good from what I’ve seen. He’s obviously been training this week in the nets and started running between the wickets. The early signs with him are very good for the third Test which is awesome for us,” said Paine.

“And Will Pucovski is in a similar boat. He’s not far away. I think there’s some return-to-play protocols that he has, or needs to tick off but my conversations with Will is he is pretty close to a return.”

India bounced back from a disastrous performance in Adelaide to square the series one-all.

“We played pretty poor cricket, pretty sloppy cricket for the majority of the match,” Paine conceded.

“India are bowling well. They’ve been extremely disciplined (and) we haven’t been able to get partnerships together,” Paine said.

The Indian bowlers appear to have dried up Steve Smith and Labuschagne’s scoring areas by bowling at the body and stacking the leg side.

Smith has failed in all three innings and while Labuschagne has fared better he and the other batsmen have failed to break the shackles and allowed the bowlers to dominate.

“But from what I’ve seen watching Marnus and Steve Smith in their Test careers this is not the first time teams have targeted their stumps,” Paine said.

“That happens every single Test match.

“These guys (India) are executing it better and someone like Steve in particular just hasn’t been able to get in yet.

“Once he does he’ll find a way as he generally always has and the rest of us will follow suit.

“We need to improve, but these aren’t plans we’re encountering for the first time.”

The visitors made a string of changes after being bowled out for 36 in the second innings of the first Test and all of them contributed at the MCG. Opener Shubman Gill was impressive in his debut Test, scoring 45 and 35no in the eight wicket win.

Mohammed Siraj also had a good introduction to cricket at the highest level. The quick who stayed in Australia despite the death of his father last month removed Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the first innings. He got Green for 45 in the second and also proved too good for Head.

Green provided some cheer for the Australians with a solid 45 that pushed the match past lunch on the fourth day.

India’s stand in captain, Ajinkya Rahane, led from the front, setting fields which choked Australia’s batsmen and scoring a century to set up the win.

Coach Ravi Shastri was ecstatic with the performance of his side who could easily have dropped their heads after losing the first Test and then losing captain and star batsman Virat Kohli who has gone home for the birth of his child.

“That’s the brand of cricket we’ve been playing for the last three or four years,” Shastri told reporters post-match.

“You saw these two debutants show that kind of maturity and discipline, it was great to see.

“Today, Siraj‘s effort was outstanding actually.

“He might not have the numbers to show for it but the discipline and ability to bowl long spells and maturity he showed for someone playing his first Test match, doing the job he had to do once we lost Umesh (Yadav) … was outstanding.

“Then Shubman going and playing with that kind of flair, later on, was great to see.”