Melbourne:Australia opener David Warner said he is doing everything he can to play the third Test in Sydney on January 7, even though he's doubtful of being 100 per cent fit.
With Joe Burns released from the squad after three single-digit scores in four innings against India, Australia will be desperate to have Warner available to take on the buoyant visiting attack in Sydney.
The hosts haven't been able to dictate terms against India's bowlers and the presence of Warner, one of the most menacing batsmen on Australian soil over the previous decade, might help their cause.
But Warner is yet to fully recover from a groin injury, which kept him out of the opening two Tests. The 34-year-old is 'highly doubtful' that he'll be at 100 per cent fitness by match day, but is hoping to be fit enough to take the field and contribute to the team's cause.
"I haven’t ran the last couple of days," Warner told reporters on Saturday. "Today and tomorrow will give me a better indication of where I am. Am I going to be 100 per cent? Highly doubtful. But I’m doing everything I can to get on that park and play, even if that means I’m not 100 per cent."
"At the moment there’s a few shots (that are restricted) where you’re lunging, but for me it’s about speed between wickets, it doesn’t matter what shots I can and can’t play," he said.
"It’s about the drop and run, helping the guy at the other end get off strike, they’re the things I work on and they’re the things I like to be 100 per cent fit for.
"In this case I’m most likely not going to be but I’m going to have to work out myself in advance how I’m going to manage that."
Warner's availability will also be determined by how well he can operate in the slip cordon. "If I feel like I can do my duties, whether it's standing in the slips cordon, taking catches to my right and left and not be a hindrance there, that’s where it’s going to determine whether I do play or not," he said.With the series level at 1-1, the next Test is scheduled to begin on January 7.(UNI)
