India vs Australia: David Warner returns for Sydney Test, Joe Burns dropped

David Warner is a major addition in the Australia squad for the third Test against India in Sydney which begins on January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. David Warner had suffered a groin injury in the ODI series against India and missed the Twenty20 International series as well as the first two Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne. His return sees Joe Burns getting axed from the squad. Along with David Warner, Sean Abbott and Will Pucovski also make a comeback to the Australia squad who are reeling from their crushing loss in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

David Warner is expected to feature in the playing 11 but his recovery has been immensely slow and Australia head coach Justin Langer said that David Warner might struggle in mobility. However, Cricket Australia released a statement from chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns that David Warner will be given a full chance to prove his fitness ahead of the Sydney Test.

“David has made strong progress in his recovery from injury and will be given every chance to play in Sydney with another seven days until the match,” Hohns said. The return of David Warner means that Joe Burns’ participation for the remainder of the series is done and the opener had failed in both Adelaide and Melbourne, despite scoring a fifty in the second innings. “Unfortunately, Joe's returns haven't been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of,” Hohns added.

Pucovski to feature?

Will Pucovski has been touted as one of the bright stars in the Australia cricket team for the future. Pucovski did feature in the wam-up games against India but he was hit on the helmet in the Sydney game which resulted in a concussion. Will Pucovski has had a history of concussion related injuries, with the Sydney incident being the ninth time that the youngster has been diagnosed with concussion after being hit. In 2019, Pucovski came close to a debut against Sri Lanka but his mental health issues meant that he was out of the reckoning. Cricket Australia have said that Pucovski is making good recovery.

“Will is in the final stages of the graduated return to play protocols and has been symptom-free for some time. He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment,” Hohns said.

Australia squad for Sydney Test

Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner