Will Pucovski a spectator in nets as Harris waits in the wings

Will Pucovski did countless laps of the Gabba with a football under his arm but needs to pick up a bat in a hurry or Australia will choose its fifth opening batsman in three Tests.

Will Pucovski, battling a partial shoulder dislocation, did not bat or field at training

Will Pucovski did countless laps of the Gabba with a football under his arm but needs to pick up a bat in a hurry or Australia will choose its fifth opening batsman in three Tests.

Gifted youngster Pucovski is battling a partial shoulder dislocation and did not bat or field at Australia’s training session yesterday, the team’s major training session before tomorrow’s fourth Test against India.

Marcus Harris batted in the nets with coach Justin Langer giving him throwdowns and got a small pat on the back from Langer as he left the nets.

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If Pucovski, who did a series of laps of the Gabba with Pat Cummins, is ruled out, Harris will become the fifth opening batsman chosen by Australia in the past three Tests.

Pucovski, who impressed with his cool demeanour and well organised batting on Test debut in Sydney, will be desperate to play on a light-coloured Gabba strip, which looks like the most bat-friendly pitch of the series.

Pucovski suffered the partial dislocation diving to stop a boundary on Monday, although Langer pointed out that he was going to have a scan regardless as he had a shoulder complaint before the incident.

“Will had a sore shoulder before he fell on it,” Langer said.

“He was actually going to have a scan after that day’s play anyway just to see what was happening. He thought he might have a little jab in there, it might be a little bit of sinus or something.

“He was going to have that scan anyway, he fell on it as well. We’ll see how he pulls up today, we’re really hopeful he’ll get up.”

David Warner had another scan on his groin in Sydney on Monday night but Langer said the “old pro” was certain to back up in Brisbane, despite his tendon remaining sore.

Cricket Australia will launch a medical review into the summer’s injury spike, which has heavily disrupted the Aussies during the white-ball series and India during the Tests.

CA’s physical performance manager Andrew Weller, who previously worked at AFL clubs Gold Coast and St Kilda, is already collecting evidence.

Langer believes the unusual timing of the Indian Premier League, which was an entree to Australia’s summer, has been a factor.

“If the trend is you’re having more injuries than usual then of course you’ve got to review it,” Langer said.

“There might not be (any answers), but there might be.”

While the impact of injuries suffered by Indians Mohammed Shami (broken arm) and Ravindra Jadeja (thumb) have been freak accidents, Langer wants to know why so many players have broken down with soft-tissue problems.

Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges suspected hotel quarantine also played a part.

“Two weeks sitting in a hotel room not being able to do much physically, and then going into some high-intensity sport, we may see a few more niggles along the way,” Voges said.