Information that he was concussed and likewise had a damaged arm whereas making 15 on day one of many Delhi mentioned rather a lot about the truth that the warrior spirit in him hasn’t light even when his contact seemingly has.
Warner remains to be up for the battle however the problem is bigger than ever as bowlers, sensing his decline, are focusing on him with the aggression he as soon as used to unleash on them.
Mohammed Siraj uncorked a fierce bouncer assault from nowhere on day one of many Take a look at in what appeared a premeditated plan to unsettle Warner, a most uncommon tactic on flat Indian decks.
The truth that it labored means there can be extra of it on the menu. The sharks are circling.
So what is going to the selectors make of his arm, his head, his type and his future?
Australia would ideally not need Warner end his profession being subbed out of a Take a look at and there’s no doubt no resolution can be rushed with out widespread session.
However there aren’t any ensures in Take a look at cricket. Ask Brad Haddin, who withdrew from a Take a look at in England to be together with his ailing daughter and he by no means performed once more.
Usman Khawaja received recalled as a result of Travis Head received Covid and Marcus Harris received squeezed out indefinitely after Khawaja caught hearth.
Sentiment and credit score factors are by no means ignored however successful issues most, particularly within the huge collection.
And Head himself, regarded as fluent as a mountain stream when he opened the batting in Warner’s absence on day two after Warner was dominated out of the sport.
His rollicking 39 not out off 40 balls made him look made for the position.
Now the selectors have made the large resolution to recall Head after dropping him for the primary Take a look at, how may they probably drop him if he turns this robust begin into a serious rating?
Two key selections can be made on Warner’s future — does he return for this collection together with his barely fractured arm and concussion points and does he tour England final this 12 months?
Australia’s resurgence on day two of the Delhi Take a look at may assist Warner.
If Australia wins this Take a look at they might be reluctant to rock the apple cart by dropping such a senior, lengthy serving participant when the boat is using excessive within the water despite the fact that the top is clearly nigh.
Warner has been one among Australian Take a look at cricket’s biggest warriors however the pressure of being an all format participant might have taken its toll.
Earlier than leaving for India he admitted to being exhausted.
His boyhood buddy and opening companion Khawaja mentioned earlier in the summertime that it merely made sense that though he and Warner are the identical age Khawaja might have had extra petrol left within the tank as a result of he has not been travelling the globe as an all format whiz for the previous decade.
At his greatest Warner radiates hostile vibes which unsettle opposition assaults however eager judges similar to Take a look at batsman and Fox Cricket analyst Mike Hussey have famous a stark change of tempo.
“He simply doesn’t look himself in the meanwhile,’’ Hussey mentioned on Fox Cricket.
“He regarded tentative. Took him 21 balls to get off the mark and that was the one which received him within the head and that was an actual nasty blow. And once more he’s simply very late on that ball and never in search of the quick ball in any respect.
“At his greatest he comes out, he’s constructive, he’s aggressive, he’s placing the stress again on the bowlers irrespective of who they’re, it doesn’t matter what the situations are.
“We’ve seen him play some superb innings on troublesome pitches prior to now. However right here he simply regarded a bit tentative. He simply regarded to hold in there and survive. And that’s if you’ve received the likes of Shami and Siraj, they’re going to odor that they usually’re going to come back even tougher at him and ultimately received his wicket.’’
Initially revealed as India v Australia: Second Take a look at, day three, reside updates from Delhi
