Star opener David Warner has been included in the playing XI despite suffering a neck injury, For the first Ashes Test against England starting at The Gabba, Brisbane on Thursday Star. Captain Steve Smith said injuries were “part and parcel of playing cricket” and that Warner’s condition had improved a “fair bit”, and he is expected to play in the first Test. Warner, the team’s vice-captain, hurt his neck while taking a high catch during training earlier this week.
“He’s very confident and he says he’ll be right to go,” Smith told reporters ahead of Thursday’s Ashes opener at The Gabba.
“He’ll be OK. It’s part and parcel of playing cricket. Guys have injuries every now and then and have little niggles.
“He’s improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours and hopefully he can keep improving and be 100 percent at match time.”
Squad for 1st Ashes Test:
David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
