- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Slogging sensation David Warner is in line to be thrust into Australia’s one-day outfit hot on the heels of his astonishing international debut.
A lingering thumb injury to Michael Clarke has seen Warner placed on standby for a 50-over debut against South Africa at the MCG in five days, following his Twenty20 heroics on Sunday night.
True to captain Ricky Ponting’s words, selectors have found the clean hitting of Warner, which reaped 89 off 43 balls, “hard to resist” with Clarke in doubt for Friday’s match.
The Australian vice-captain, who sustained the injury while fielding in the first Test in Perth last month, will be assessed in Melbourne on Wednesday.
If he is ruled out, Warner is likely to be selected to open with Shaun Marsh in the five-match series opener and Sunday’s second clash in Hobart.
Clarke’s injury is the less severe of two which have disrupted Australia’s 13-man squad with rising quick Peter Siddle ruled out of the series with stress fractures of the foot.
Siddle, the man of the match of the third Test win over the Proteas at the SCG, was replaced by Queensland swing bowler Ryan Harris late Tuesday.
Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris reported Siddle had been playing with pain in his left foot which grew worse during the 2-1 Test series loss to South Africa.
“After the series was completed, we investigated and scans revealed the early signs of mild stress on a bone in his left foot,” Kountouris said.
“As such, Peter needs a short period of rest before resuming bowling which we anticipate will be in a further two weeks.”
Siddle, who showed his worth with 13 wickets at 27 in the series against South Africa, is expected to return for the five-match one-day series against New Zealand next month.
“We have taken a conservative approach to his recovery with the Test series in South Africa, and the Australian team’s upcoming commitments, in mind,” said Kountouris.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.