Determined to play the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba, Australia vice-captain David Warner, nursing a stiff neck, is considering…
Australian batsman David Warner (Photo: AFP)
Determined to play the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba, Australia vice-captain David Warner, nursing a stiff neck, is considering adopting the unorthodox front-on stance of West Indian great Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Warner, who twinged his neck while taking a high catch on the Gabba outfield on Tuesday, suggested light-heartedly that he could even emulate the Carribean southpaw’s stance to make it to the playing XI.
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While all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was drafted in to the squad as a cover for Warner on the eve of the match, it looks highly unlikely that the southpaw will miss out on Thursday.
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Australia skipper Steven Smith on Wednesday said he had no doubt his vice-captain will be cleared to play.
“Davey is going well. He had a hit just before and he’s very confident. He said he’ll be right to go,” Smith said.
On Warner’s comment about adopting Chanderpaul’s stance, Smith said: “He said he’ll even bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to and face the other way, so I think he’ll be alright.
“It’s improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours. Hopefully he can keep improving and he’ll be 100 percent come 10 o’clock in the morning,” the skipper added.
Warner had a 30-minute net session at the Gabba on Wednesday, facing some throwdowns from assistant coach John Davison.
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