David Warner. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Star Australian opener David Warner is unlikely to play in the third and final ODI in the ongoing series against India on Wednesday, March 22 in Chennai. The 36-year-old has been out of action since he suffered a hairline fracture on his left elbow during the second Test against India in Delhi in February 2023. Following his injury, he was sent back home to recover and came back to India ahead of the first ODI in Mumbai.
Warner will be assessed by the team’s medical staff on Wednesday ahead of the game, but before that, he has to complete a training session on March 21. The southpaw has had just two training sessions since his return to India for the ODI series.
“We’ll have a better idea after training. If positive, we’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow [Wednesday],” a team official was quoted as saying by THE AGE.
In Warner’s absence, Mitchell Marsh has been promoted up the order in the Australian batting line-up, and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Marsh played a scintillating knock of 81 off 65 balls in the first ODI in Mumbai, as Australia were in complete control of the game till he was at the crease.
In the second ODI, he decimated the Indian bowling with his breathtaking knock of 66* off 36 balls which helped his side chase down India’s paltry total of 117 in just 11 overs and gave them their heaviest defeat in the history of ODI in terms of balls remaining. Courtesy of their win in Visakhapatnam, Australia levelled the series 1-1 with one match to go, which will be the series decider.
Warner will be the key for Australia in ODI World Cup 2023
The ongoing series is serving as the preparation for the ODI World Cup for Australia, which will also be held in India. While Warner’s Test future has been under question following his low returns in the format since 2021, his ODI form has not seen a dip as he’s been averaging above 40 in the last two years he played.
The opener will be pivotal to Australia’s success at the World Cup scheduled in October-November as he averages 55.85 in eight innings in India.
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