MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australia coach Justin Langer has largely confirmed the return of David Warner for the third Test against India and said the unauthorized opener Will Pucovski will be available for selection. after clearing concussion protocols.
Warner is consistently open on racing to qualify for the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) test starting Thursday after losing his first two games in Adelaide and Melbourne by groin pressure.
Warner admitted last week that it was unlikely to be fully fit but Langer told reporters on Tuesday that the lefthander was “very, very, very likely” to play at the SCG where Australia’s Tim Paine hopes to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
Warner is expected to replace the fallen Joe Burns but voters will have to decide whether Pucovski should be Warner ‘s partner at the top of the order or keep Matthew Wade as a mobile opener.
Pundits have expressed concern about the dangers of picking up the 22-year-old Pucovski, who was unavailable for the first trials after suffering a concussion when he hit in the helmet with a short ball in a match visit.
Pucovski has a history of decision-making problems and India’s speed attack, led by the strong Jasprit Bumrah, attacking Australians with bouncers in Melbourne, hitting special batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Wade on his helmet.
But Langer said there was “no reason” Pucovski could not be selected.
“All concussion protocols … have been passed,” he said.
“It just works out the balance of our team, where we are in the league … we judge whether this test match is right, or if the next test match is right. ”
Pucovski’s inclusion would have meant Wade returning to his usual place in the middle order with the Travis Head bat dropped after scores 38 and 17 in the Melbourne case.
Langer said the boss was a “good player” but refused to support his inclusion in Sydney.
“He’s one of the boys on the team right now. Whether that will change for this game, I can’t tell you. We have some decisions to make … maybe after a session (training) this afternoon. “
Reporting by Ian Ransom; Edited by Himani Sarkar