Warner faces final fitness test

Updated March 06, 2012 09:01:01

Dynamic opener David Warner faces a last-minute fitness test before Australia seeks a quick kill in the second tri-series final against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Warner is in doubt for the second final in Adelaide after complaining of groin soreness following his century-making heroics in Brisbane on Sunday.

The left-hander cracked 163 from 157 balls but did not field in Australia's 15-run win over the Sri Lankans in the first final.

Warner will have a fitness test before the day-nighter, with vice-captain Shane Watson preparing for a possible return to the opening position.

Newcomer Peter Forrest appears likely to return to the starting line-up if Warner is ruled out.

"We all hope he (Warner) is up and firing tomorrow," Australia's David Hussey said.

"It was a fantastic innings and all the boys hope he can replicate that."

Hussey says the Australians are desperate to close out the finals series in consecutive matches.

"This is a chance to win a series - not all of us have actually won a series in Australia in one-day international cricket," he said.

"So it's very important we actually close out the series in a professional manner."

Australia's triumph in Brisbane was marred by late lapses with the ball.

After setting the Sri Lankans 322 to win, Australia had the visitors at its mercy at 6 for 144 in the 31st over.

But bad bowling combined with remarkable knocks from Nuwan Kulasekara (73 from 43 balls) and Upul Tharanga (60 from 67) took Sri Lanka to within 15 runs of victory.

Hussey, who took 4 for 43, says Australia's bowlers failed to deliver on their plans.

"The conditions were a bit greasy and it was very hard to stand up for the fast bowlers," he said.

"But if we can just execute our skills ... I think we will go a long way to winning the game.

"I thought we played three-quarters of the perfect game last night - and hopefully there is a perfect game just around the corner."

Hussey's haul was the second time he has taken four wickets in a one-day international.

"I wouldn't say I'm a spinner. If they hit a few pebbles, they might turn a little bit," he said.

"A couple of years, I was probably just classed as a batsman and a muck-around net bowler who bowled to the tailenders.

"Now I'm opening the bowling in T20 cricket and bowling key overs in one-day cricket, so I definitely take it a little bit more seriously now."

AAP

Tags: sport, onedayseries, cricket, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted March 05, 2012 17:40:42

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Marsh confident of Boxing Day fitness

Updated December 22, 2011 18:40:22

A change in rehab has given top-order batsman Shaun Marsh renewed confidence he will be fit for selection in the Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG.

The Western Australian has been fighting to recover from an ongoing back injury which flared dramatically during last month's series in South Africa.

But he has been boosted by a recent change in treatment after a sluggish start in his battle to regain fitness.

"I was struggling a fair bit for the first month," Marsh said.

"Every time I tried to increase my training schedule or load I just couldn't do it.

"But I've worked hard with my people back home in Perth and we've changed a few things around in the last three weeks which have helped a lot."

Marsh said his back had improved significantly in recent weeks and was no longer troubling him following several days practising in the nets.

"It's actually pulled up fine. Probably a week-and-a-half ago it was a little bit stiff and sore still.

"I've worked very hard and I've had extended net practice.

"Obviously it's been a big build-up for me the last few weeks to try and get myself in this position.

"The last few days have been really good."

Marsh was included in Australia's 13-man squad for Monday's series opener even though he has not played for six weeks following the November tour of South Africa, where he locked up in the first Test in Cape Town.

He missed the Chairman's XI match against India in Canberra this week and was expected to be sidelined until after Christmas.

His first match will be for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League at Docklands on Thursday night against the Melbourne Renegades.

Scorchers team-mate Brad Hogg commented on Twitter that the match was not the best preparation for a Test batsman.

"Interesting, Shaun Marsh proving his fitness in a T20 for a Test match. Bit like Moneghetti doing a 100m proving himself for a marathon," Hogg posted.

Marsh said he was in excruciating pain and was barely able to move in South Africa when his back first gave in.

"It wasn't too pleasant," he said.

"The night that I did it I had Michael Beer, Michael Hussey and (physiotherapist) Alex Kountouris picking me up and taking me to the toilet.

"Every time I did move I was struggling ... I couldn't get out of bed and stuff like that.

"It was tough there for a few days and it was tough for a month for me to try and overcome it."

Marsh and all-rounder Dan Christian are vying for the spot in the Australian batting line-up which became vacant following the axing of Usman Khawaja.

Ed Cowan will replace the dumped Phil Hughes as David Warner's opening partner against India.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted December 22, 2011 13:52:38

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