David Warner, the Australian opener, has declared himself fit and raring to go for the Boxing Day Test against India, though he did concede that he won’t be totally pain-free.
Warner was struck on his left thumb by Umesh Yadav during Australia’s stuttering chase in the second innings of the second Test in Brisbane last week, but went through a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday (December 24) and pronounced himself ready for the third Test starting on Friday.
“It was a bit sore when it (the ball) hit the splice or the toe of the bat but that’s to be expected, but I feel good and I’m ready to go,” Warner said. “(There’s been) talk about (my) bottom hand being a bit looser and it’s probably going to help me a bit I think but when the ball hits the splice, I found out today it’s going to be quite painful but I can bear that pain and I can get out there on Boxing Day.
“I tried to have a dip at the spinners to see if I could actually hit the ball as hard as I can and it did feel real sore but I had to try and grind it out and get through that pain and I was able to do that.”
The pain, Warner added, wouldn’t deter him from playing a full part in the contest. “I think I’ll be fielding at mid-off as well,” he said. “So I’ll be well protected, I’ve got a bit of a splint on it.”
Among those who didn’t bat on Wednesday was Shane Watson, who had been struck on his helmet the previous day by James Pattinson. Warner urged his teammate to put that incident out of his head, though he had no issues with Watson not fronting up at nets on Wednesday.