Australia’s David Warner on Thursday, underwent a thorough fitness test after concerns that an upper leg injury might rule him out of the World Cup opener against Afghanistan this weekend.
The 32 year old missed the final warm up game against Sri Lanka on Monday and was unable to train on Wednesday despite his desire to make his return. Warner, who scored 345 runs at an average of 49.28 in Australia’s run to the title four years ago, returned to the national set up last month after serving a one year ban.
“He is desperate to play, he’d love to play like all 15 players would, He was a bit sore on Wednesday. He’s just a bit sore in his right glute. We’ll have a pretty good idea today, how he moves and how he pulls up in the morning.” Australia’s coach Justin Langer told reporters.
If Warner is unable to play, it would create a massive headache for Justin Langer, espicially when it comes to naming Australia’s top order.
Usman Khawaja opened with captain Aaron Finch and scored 89 in Monday’s warm up win over Sri Lanka to stake a claim for his place at the top of the batting order.
Warner would open if he was fit to play but it was important to be fair to other players by making early call on his fitness, langer said.
Langer, however, said the Afghanistan had some top quality players and there would be no room for complacency.
“We will show them great respect because we do have respect for what they are doing,” he said.