India vs Australia: Highly doubtful that I will be fully fit for 3rd Test, says David Warner

Australia's number one opener David Warner on Saturday said he is "highly doubtful" about attaining full fitness ahe of third Test against India though he will do everything possible to respond to a deseperate selection panel and team manment's call.

Warner sustained a groin tear during second ODI against India and has been racing against time to get fit for January 7-11 third Test after missing first two matches where Joe Burns and Matw We failed to live up to expectations.

Asked about his fitness update, Warner put things as it is.

"We have got training sessions today and tomorrow, so I can't give you any more indications where I am at. I haven't trained last couple of days but after today and tomorrow will give me a better indication of where I am. Am I going to be hundred percent? Highly doubtful," Warner said during a virtual media conference.

Cricket Australia and team manment's desperation was felt from his next statement.

"... But I will be doing everything to get on that park and play. Even if that means that I am t a hundred percent, I will be doing everything that I can if selectors give me that green light," dashing left-hander said.

Warner said that during a few net sessions, he didn't try to lunge forward but kws that renaline takes over once game begins.

"Batting in nets or day, it probably helped me as I h to wait for ball to be pitched in my area and I didn't throw my hands at it and tried playing nice and tight. It's funny in saying that.

"Look, for me, re will be some restrictions here and re. I think when you get into a game, renaline takes over, you sort of don't cast any doubts that you can't play those shots.

"But, at moment, yeah, re are a few shots where if you are lunging n...." His priority, more than range of shots, would be to check wher he is able to tap and run those quick singles.

"For me if its about my speed between wickets, that's all that matters, thing else. More than what shots I can or can't play, it's about being able to drop and run, help or guy.

"se are things I want to be 100 percent fit for and in this case I am t going to be," his statement me it clear that he was being pushed into playing even before his body would permit.

Ar big concern will be wher he can dive or stretch on his left and right while taking catches and field at leg slip or leg gully when off-spinner Nathan Lyon is in operation.

"It's about being smart and if I feel that I can do my duty and That's like standing in slip cordon and taking catches to my left and right. If re's a hindrance in terms of field position, that will determine, if I will play or t.

"I kw I can man running between wickets and man shot making that I have.

"It's about having capacity to man catching balls to left and right of myself and even with Gaza (Lyon) bowling, in first slip and leg slip, it's about being agile eugh to make sure that I am taking those chances.

"Because if I am t, I don't want to be dropping those chances and t giving my team best chance of taking m." Anr example of desperation was about his rehab programme which included taking pain killer injection shots and that, he said, wasn't a pleasant experience.

"In terms of rehabs, I got a couple of jabs (injection shots) to get me pain free and first two weeks were challenging. It was difficult to move around in bed, getting in and out of car. first jab allowed me to get a bit pain free and allowed me to do some rehab.

"Last 2-3 weeks has been about getting that rehab done and remaining pain free. When it comes to tendon related issues, y hang around for quite a while.

"It's hard to get through that pain threshold and I am trying to man everything we can to fast -track that rehab process." third Test will be brodcast live on Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 (Hindi) and Sony Ten 1 channels from Thursday 5am onwards. 

Im credits: AP