Injured veteran David Warner’s Test future remains uncertain after Australia suffered a second-straight humiliating defeat in India.
Warner was subbed out of the match before play on day two of the second Test in Delhi after suffering a concussion following a hit to the helmet on Friday.
During his scratchy 15 in the first innings, Warner was also hit on the elbow from a Mohammed Siraj delivery which left him requiring immediate medical attention.
Scans later revealed he suffered a small, but stable, fracture in his left elbow.
Team officials say the injury would not have prevented Warner from batting in the second innings had he not been ruled out of match with concussion.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said Warner was “sore and sorry” but he would be assessed by medical staff before a call is made on his fitness for the third Test, starting on March 1 in Indore.
“(Warner) came to the ground today for a fair while which is good, but we’ll kind of assess him over the next little bit,” Cummins said.
Long-time state and national teammate Nathan Lyon backed Warner to make a quick recovery.
“Obviously he’s injured, concussed and a fracture in the arm and your spirits, dare say, go down a little bit,” Lyon said after play on Saturday.
“But Davey is Davey, we love having him around the team.
“Talking to the medical staff, it’s one of those ones where you could potentially play if you rest it over the next few days and we’ve got a decent break after this Test match.
“If he’s recovered well, I wouldn’t be surprised if you see him out there again.”
Warner’s position in the Test team was already under a cloud after he was down on form for the majority of the last three years.
He entered the Boxing Day Test in December – his 100th match – under extreme pressure to retain his spot.
But he scored a classic 200 to end a Test century drought dating back to January 2020 and book his spot for a third red-ball tour of India.
Complicating matters is Warner’s replacement at the top of the order, Travis Head, started his Test opening career in devastating style.
After being dropped for the first Test in Nagpur based on his poor record in Asia, Head hit a team-high 43 in the second innings to give Australia a fighting chance.
Head was considered a liability at No.5 in Indian conditions, but appeared as comfortable batting in Delhi as he does in Australia during the 13 overs he has faced.
Speculation has surrounded Head potentially opening instead of Warner for weeks, but the Australian camp have disputed that has ever been a consideration.
“He was extremely confident coming into this game and that’s the Trav I love,” Cummins said.
“I’m really happy to see him out there competing the way he is at the moment, I thought he was absolutely exceptional.
“I think having Trav in the side in cricket all around the world in the Australian cricket team especially over the last 12 months or so, it’s been bloody exciting to be a part of.”
© AAP 2023
