David Warner has struggled through a 30-minute nets session on Tuesday evening in a bid to prove his fitness for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide this week.
Warner indicated to his batting coach Michael Di Venuto after facing throwdowns that he was feeling pain and stiffness in his ribs following multiple blows in the first Test.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Warne didn't face any actual bowling during the 40-minute session.
David Warner about to have a net at the Adelaide Oval after a chat with selector George Bailey & the team physio #Ashes pic.twitter.com/GF55lp6uSy
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 14, 2021
Reports suggest the Aussies are keen to remain flexible regarding his selection, and see how he pulls up on Wednesday before making any decisions.
Warner missed two Tests last home summer after he was rushed back into the side with a groin issue.
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Former Australian batter Mark Waugh warned that Warner may "paint a target on himself" if he is thrust into the Test match underdone.
“There is another day to go so we will just see how that unfolds. He might pull up a bit stiff in the morning you don’t know," he said speaking to Fox Cricket.
“That’s why he had the net session without any pain killers this afternoon just to see how he would go.
“One thing is for sure if he has got sore ribs then the English bowlers will target him. They won’t be serving him up half volleys like he will get in the nets.
“It is an interesting one for the selectors but let’s just see how he goes tomorrow.”
David Warner is loosening up at the Adelaide Oval with the rest of the Aussie team & also showing off how comfortable he is sitting on the floor following his multiple visits to India #Ashes pic.twitter.com/mX7pevnK5L
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 14, 2021
Having left both Stuart Broad and James Anderson out of the first Test at the Gabba, England are poised to play at least one if not both of them in the Adelaide Test.
Broad had Warner's measure in the 2019 Ashes series, dismissing him seven times in 10 innings - an injury-weakened Warner may struggle further against his nemesis.
Warner passed 11 on just one occasion in that 2019 Ashes series, but returned to Adelaide three months later to score a mammoth triple hundred (335*) in a pink-ball Test against Pakistan.
Usman Khawaja, who was originally named in Australia's 15-man squad for the series, appeared to be in good touch during Australia's main session, and will be on standby to replace Warner if he is deemed unfit.
Khawaja has previously played numerous roles for Australia. Not least of which, he has opened the batting in Tests on seven occasions for an average of 96.80.
Meanwhile, Bryce Street has been pinned as a potential opener going forward, having scored 119* for Australia A in their tour-match victory over the England Lions. Likened to Matt Renshaw, the left-handed Queenslander is known for an ability to bat time, and averages 40.87 from 36 first-class innings.
