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Due to an adductor injury, David Warner was unable to
participate in the final Twenty20 International match against New Zealand in
Auckland. However, he should be ready for the IPL to begin next month.
Warner did not play in Friday’s second encounter, but it was always planned as
a rest game for him as Australia rotates their players throughout the series.
“Warner will require a brief recovery period
which is not expected to affect his availability for the upcoming Indian
Premier League leading into to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” a CA
statement said.
It is predicted that the recuperation process will
take seven to ten days. Warner’s career as a bilateral international player has
come to an end due to his absence from the series finale; he will officially
retire from Australia duty in June of the next T20 World Cup. In the opening
match in Wellington, he scored 32 runs off of 20 balls before the home crowd
heckled him off the pitch. He had brought up the 2016 tour’s crowd conduct at
the beginning of the tour.
Given Warner’s absence, Steven Smith should be able to maintain his position at
the top of the lineup as he attempts to make the World Cup roster. In the
second Twenty20 International, he hit 11 from 7 balls, including a ridiculous
six off the air, before being pinned lbw by Lockie Ferguson’s first delivery.
Even if Smith is chosen, it still doesn’t seem
probable that he would command a starting spot at the World Cup, as Warner,
Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh are expected to be the top three.
Matt Short, who was not needed to bat or bowl in the first match in Wellington,
will probably receive another opportunity. Marsh might be rested ahead of the
Test series, in which case Matthew Wade would captain the team.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are also expected to
sit out Sunday’s match having played the first two games. Mitchell Starc and
Spencer Johnson would be the replacements.