Australia has suffered another setback ahead of the third Test match in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy. David Warner will miss the rest of the series after suffering a hairline fracture during the second Test match in Delhi.
“David Warner has been ruled out of the Qantas test tour of India and will return home. Warner was struck on the elbow in the second Test in Delhi and sustained a hairline fracture,” said Cricket Australia (CA) in a statement.
“After further assessment, he will require a period of rehabilitation which will preclude any further involvement in the remainder of the Test series.”
Warner was replaced during the Delhi Test after receiving a concussion from a difficult Mohammed Siraj bouncer on the grille of his helmet. Yet, it was the injury that cut short his red-ball tour just minutes before the bouncer.
Another short, good-length delivery hit Warner on the elbow. While it appeared to be a minor injury at the time, x-rays revealed that the southpaw had suffered a hairline fracture.
Warner is set to rejoin the Australian squad for the three-match ODI series that begins immediately following the Ahmedabad Test, according to CA.
“It is currently anticipated that he will return to India for the three One-Day Internationals which follow the Test Series.”
It has been a poor run for David Warner in India
The break, although in the shape of an ailment, may have arrived just in time for the 36-year-old. Warner had struggled for runs in the Test series, returning 26 runs from three innings. Warner acknowledged in the run-up to the series that he was ‘weary and exhausted’ after a hard summer cricketing season.
“It’s been challenging. I’m quite tired, exhausted,” Warner told reporters after his franchise Sydney Thunder crashed out of the BBL.
“There are a few guys who have gone to the UAE League, which aren’t going to the Cricket Australia awards. From my perspective, that would’ve been nice to have had another night at home.”
With their victory in Delhi, India has already retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The visitors, on the other hand, will be looking to square the series and reclaim some respect. The challenge will be difficult because Josh Hazlewood has been pulled out of the tour as well.
