Australia got a massive boost in morale ahead of the New Year’s Test as opening batsman David Warner and 22-year-old Will Pucovski were included in the 18-man squad for the match. Warner is still recovering from a groin injury that he picked up during the second ODI of the Border-Gavaskar trophy and has been absent ever since.
However, according to fresh reports, Australia might risk playing the southpaw even if he is short of full fitness in a bid to strengthen the top order.
Assistant coach Andrew McDonald said on Thursday “He may not be 100%. Who is coming off an injury? You never know until you get out there.”
“Look, if he’s 90-95% fit and the conversation is that he’s fit enough to be able to go out there and perform his duties for the team, then I’m sure that’ll be a conversation the coach has with the player.”
“Most times Justin is pretty open with the players in terms of giving them accountability around that,” he added.
Will Pucovski, who was ruled out from making his Test debut in Adelaide after suffering a concussion in a tour match will also be in the squad when it returns to training in Melbourne from January 2.
McDonald said “It will just be a matter now of what training and how quickly he can ramp up to make himself available for selection.”