Australia frets over Warner injury ahead of T20 WC opener

Defending champion Australia's build-up to the T20 World Cup suffered a big blow after its star opener David Warner on Friday pulled out of the third ODI against England with a stiff neck.

Published : Oct 14, 2022 18:45 IST

File Photo: David Warner of Australia plays a cover shot during game one of the T20 International series between Australia and England at Optus Stadium on October 09, 2022, in Perth, Australia.
File Photo: David Warner of Australia plays a cover shot during game one of the T20 International series between Australia and England at Optus Stadium on October 09, 2022, in Perth, Australia. | Photo Credit: James Worsfold/Getty Images
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File Photo: David Warner of Australia plays a cover shot during game one of the T20 International series between Australia and England at Optus Stadium on October 09, 2022, in Perth, Australia. | Photo Credit: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Defending champion Australia's build-up to the T20 World Cup suffered a big blow after its star opener David Warner on Friday pulled out of the third ODI against England with a stiff neck.

Before it open the campaign against New Zealand on October 22, Australia will face India in a warm-up game next Tuesday in Brisbane.

"I'm a bit stiff this morning. I obviously had a pretty heavy fall the other day. I've never had whiplash before. It's pulled up real stiff," Warner, who was the player of the tournament in their triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE last year, told Fox Cricket.

Steve Smith was called in as his replacement in their third and final T20I.

The 35-year-old, who has been in sizzling form with two half-centuries in three matches, had a concussion scare in Australia's second T20I against England at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Wednesday.

Warner landed awkwardly on the point boundary while attempting a Moeen Ali catch and was replaced by Smith.

The left-handed batter, however, passed the concussion test and opened alongside captain Aaron Finch, only to be dismissed by English seamer Reece Topley for four in the fifth over.

England won the match by eight runs to lead the series 2-0.

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