India vs Australia: David Warner and Will Pucovski return as Australia declares 18 man squad for final two Tests

India vs Australia: David Warner and Will Pucovski return as Australia declares 18 man squad for final two Tests
David Warner injury
David Warner

With the Border Gavaskar series on the balance, Australia has named an 18 man squad for the final two Tests. Openers David Warner and Will Pucovski have been cleared for the Sydney Test. Speedster Sean Abbott has also returned for the remainder of the Test series while Joe Burns was axed from the side. Selector Trevor Hohns shares that Warner is all but set to come back in all whites for the nest Test.

Although Warner is not 100% fit yet, Hohns is confident that he will make it to the side with a week in hand for the Sydney Test. The second Test was on the verge of being shifted to the MCG following a COVID outbreak in Sydney. But the governing body has confirmed that the SCG will be hosting the second Test of the series.

“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 in a statement by Cricket Australia.

Will is in the final stages of the graduated return

Will Pucovski
Will Pucovski

Young Pucovski suffered a blow to his head in the first tour game which ruled him out of the first two Tests. And Hohns informs that he has been ‘symptom-free’ lately. Yet his availability for the third Test is not confirmed yet. Pucovski will have to be cleared according to the ‘return to play protocols’ and go through an independent assessment before he is cleared to take to the field in the third Test.

“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,” said Hohns.

The return of both the openers has yet again posed a selection headache for the team management. With Burns being dropped, Warner is all but set to open given the ‘early signs.’ But it is Matthew Wade‘s fortune which hangs in the balance if Pucovski is cleared. Wade has been solid at the top so far but the Victorian’s record might tempt the think tank to go his way. With the series set ablaze in the Boxing Day Test, the hosts’ team selection will be something to look forward to.

Australia squad: 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

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