In what could be considered a significant setback for Australia, opener David Warner has been ruled out of the remaining limited-overs matches against India, after suffering a groin injury during the second ODI on Sunday. Also, pacer Pat Cummins has been rested for the same length, citing fitness for the upcoming four-Test series, for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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Australia already have a concern with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who is having a side strain but is expected to be back for the remaining matches. Meanwhile, Warner tore his groinadductor while fielding, as scans reveal that he would need to make a quick recovery to be fit for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting December 17.
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However, Warner's injury is not a concern for the upcoming T20Is, as head coach Justin Langer feels that getting him fit for the Tests is of utmost priority. Furthermore, Australia's win in the ODIs is already enough to relax their limited-overs bench.
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"Pat and Davey are critical to our plans for the Test Series. Davey will work through his injury rehab, and in Pat's case, it is important all of our players are managed well to keep them mentally and physically fit throughout, what is a challenging summer. The priority for both is being fully prepared for one of the biggest and most important home Test Series we have played in recent years, especially with World Test Championship points up for grabs," Langer said, reports ESPNCricinfo.
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Speaking on Warner missing at least four limited-overs clashes for Australia, against India, Marnus Labuschagne feels that Australia have enough firepower to replace him in the formats. "He's been a massive part of us winning this series and it's not great that we've lost him, but like anything it provides an opportunity for someone else to step up in the top order and make runs," he said.
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"It's unfortunately how the game works, there's always an opportunity for someone else when something like that happens. We hope Davey gets a speedy recovery and he's back as soon as we can get him. He's a very strong character and he'll be back," added Labuschagne.
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"I hope he's back for the Test series, but I'm not a physio or a doctor, so I think for us it's just about being able to adapt. We need to make sure we adapt for this last one-dayer and then if he's not available it provides an opportunity for someone else to step up. That's how we have to play it," Labuschagne further noted.
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Nonetheless, Labuschagne was also curious of the fact that provided Warner missed out on the opening Test, either of Joe Burns and Will Pucovski was talented enough to fill his boots. Meanwhile, for the limited-overs, they will have the services of wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade in his place.
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"Joe's averaging 40 in Test cricket, so he's certainly established and he's got four Test hundreds, so he's a very good player. Although he hasn't made the runs in Shield cricket he would've liked, he got 99 [97] against Pakistan in the first Test last summer and he negotiated through that new ball period almost every time. So, he's not far away from a couple of really big scores and I think if he was to step up into that senior opener role, 100% I think he's that sort of player that can step up if the team really needs it," concluded Labuschagne.
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