Warner eases fear after training scare

David Warner sent an injury scare through the Australia camp after a mishap during fielding drills at training on Tuesday, but is confident he will be right take his place at the top of the order for Thursday's opening Magellan Ashes Test.

Warner twinged his neck while taking a high catch on the Gabba outfield before leaving the playing arena and heading to the dressing room for treatment with the Bupa Support Team physiotherapist David Beakley.

"My neck is quite stiff," Warner later told reporters.

"I took a high ball out there and something just twinged in my neck. It's quote sore, I haven't really had a stiff neck like this one before."

Warner said he would have treatment ahead of Thursday's opener but declared "I don't think a sore neck is going to keep me out."

"I'm getting a bit of physio treatment at the moment and hopefully it will settle down in the next 24 to 48 hours," Warner said.

"I'll try and have a hit tomorrow at some stage, I have to work on my technique a little bit more, probably facing up. 

"I'll get some more treatment tonight, get some heat packs, get some fingers into it and hopefully it's better tomorrow."

Image Id: 3E0628690C4343459D2332E8754B4901 Image Caption: Physio David Beakley massages Warner's neck // Getty

The early injury fears appeared to ease when Warner walked to the nets area and padded up to face some deliveries. But after facing just two throwdowns from batting coach Graeme Hick, he walked out of the net and again spoke to team doctor Richard Saw.

Warner later clarified the neck issue caused an "alignment" issue that saw him call an early end to the net session.

"It was more of alignment thing, I couldn't align myself face-on with Hickey," Warner said. 

"If I can't be face on, there was no point in hitting because I can't angle myself," he said, adding he did not want to form any bad habits. "That's not how I want to train."

Australia's vice-captain and opening batsman averages almost 60 on home soil and will be a key figure in Australia's push to regain the Ashes urn.

He is slated to open with debutant Cameron Bancroft, the in-form Western Australian who would be Warner's 10th opening partner in Tests.

Queensland's JLT Sheffield Shield squad, featuring deposed Australia opener Matthew Renshaw, is not due to fly to Perth from Brisbane until Wednesday ahead of their match at the WACA Ground, starting on Friday. It means the left-hander could quickly be called into the Test squad should Warner's injury not improve over the coming days and an extra player be required as cover.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21