Timely declaration catches Warner short

David Warner was sensationally prevented from opening the batting for Australia late on day one after South Africa declared at 9-259 with 12 overs remaining in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval.

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Warner had spent time off the field after picking up a shoulder complaint while fielding, appearing to have injured his right shoulder while throwing. The Australian vice-captain spent 21 minutes off the field receiving treatment, and had not been back on the Adelaide Oval long enough when the Proteas declared to allow him to take his spot as opener.

Test debutant Matthew Renshaw suddenly found himself opening alongside Queensland state teammate Usman Khawaja, the regular Australian No.3.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough delivered the news to Steve Smith and Warner after the Proteas' declaration, leaving the Australia captain shaking his head. Warner had spent 21 minutes off the field, but had only been back on for 15, leaving a six minute window in which he was not allowed to bat.

The restrictions on Warner lifted after the ninth ball of Australia's innings. Thankfully for Australia, Renshaw and Khawaja saw off the 12 overs without drama or loss of wicket.

Warner's absence fell under Law 2 which relates to substitutes and batsmen or fielders leaving the field. The Law is superseded in the ICC's standard Test match playing conditions, which state that restrictions on when a player can resume normal activity start once they have been off the field for eight minutes.

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South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis later confirmed he was aware that Warner would be prevented from opening, triggering the declaration.

"I listened to the conversation he (Warner) had with the umpires," du Plessis told reporters after play.

"One ear talking to the batter and one ear listening to him and then I heard he had six minutes left before he could bat again so I thought let’s have a crack."

Du Plessis, rebounding from a torrid week of off-field scrutiny during which he was found guilty of ball tampering by the ICC for using a mint while shining the ball during the Hobart Test, was unbeaten on 118 when the declaration came.

Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke was shocked at the development and said Warner should have known the risk.

"I cannot believe I am seeing this," Clarke said on Nine's Wide World of Sport cricket coverage.

"The Australian vice-captain has gone off the field when South Africa are nine down with the risk or understanding they could declare at any time and it looks like he has spent so much time off the field he cannot open the batting for Australia.

"This is massive for this Australian batting line-up, the second most senior player – vice captain of the team – can't walk out and open the batting in tough conditions."

ICC Test Match Playing Conditions

Law 2.1 Substitutes and Runners

If the player is absent from the field for longer than 8 minutes, the following restrictions shall apply to their future participation in the match:

2.2.2: The player shall not be permitted to bat in the match until his team’s batting innings has been in progress for the length of playing time that is equal to the unexpired penalty time carried forward from the previous innings, subject to a maximum cumulative penalty time of 120 minutes. However, once his side has lost five wickets in its batting innings, he may bat immediately. If any unexpired penalty time remains at the end of that batting innings, it is carried forward to the next and subsequent innings of the match.

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