Star Australian star opening batsman David Warner has been ruled out of next week's series-opening test against India in Adelaide and will target a return for the Boxing Day second test in Melbourne.
Warner, who injured his adductor muscle during the second one-day international against India, will remain in Sydney to continue his rehabilitation, while most of the Australia squad travel to Adelaide on Wednesday.
"I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it's best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness," Warner says.
"The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my teammates that it is 100 percent ready for test match conditions. That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field.
"Right now, I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference."
Warner's absence is a major blow for Australia, who lose one of their best batsman and a player who has been a rock at the top of the order for almost a decade.
Australia's opening problems have been compounded by an injury to Warner's likely replacement Will Pucovski, who retired hurt during the tour match against India A, after being struck in the helmet by a bouncer.
Joe Burns, Warner's opening partner in the last home summer, has been in dire form, scoring a total of four runs from his two innings against India A in the tour match in Sydney.
The pink-ball first test starts at Adelaide Oval on December 17, with further tests in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Reuters
