Warner a doubt for Big Bash opener

Updated December 16, 2011 07:53:08

Man of the moment David Warner faces a fitness test for a back injury before Sydney Thunder's T20 Big Bash League clash with Shane Warne's Melbourne Stars on Saturday.

The big-hitting opener is still being troubled by a back problem incurred while scoring the unbeaten 123, which nearly snatched victory for Australia in the second Test against New Zealand on Monday.

"I am in discomfort when I'm not moving," Warner said.

"I've got to keep moving every five or 10 minutes, because if I'm in the one position ... I stiffen up.

"The more movement I get the better (it is) and obviously that's a sign of getting better in general."

Warner's fitness will be tested on Friday ahead of the encounter at the MCG where he could come up against spin great Warne.

"I'll see the physio and then tomorrow head down with the boys and I'll have a big hit-out tomorrow," Warner said.

The opener is also slated to play for the Chairman's XI in the three-day tour match against India in Canberra from Monday ahead of the first Test at the MCG starting on Boxing Day.

He admits the short Twenty20 interim is not the best way for the Test squad to warm up.

"I don't think it's ideal preparation. For a Test player you want to try and bat for as much time as you can," Warner said.

"You've got a Big Bash there that you have to play. For me it's exciting, because I like playing Twenty20 cricket and I know my game can go back to that.

"But it is hard to transit from Test cricket to Twenty20 mode.

"It's up to the individual players and I'm sure all the guys won't have any trouble doing that."

Warner says he is quite surprised to hear Phil Hughes was withdrawing from the Big Bash League, but is confident his fellow opener made the right decision.

"For him to get better he feels he needs to go back to the drawing board," he said.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, sydney-2000

First posted December 15, 2011 14:30:02

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Marsh in doubt for second Test

Updated November 11, 2011 13:47:04

Australian batsman Shaun Marsh is racing time to be fit for the second Test against South Africa starting in Johannesburg next Thursday.

Suffering severe back stiffness, the 28-year-old will receive around-the-clock treatment from team physio Alex Kountouris in a bid to play at The Wanderers.

Marsh's back seized up late in his first innings of 44 on Wednesday and by the next morning he could barely walk and was unable to take his place in the field.

Captain Michael Clarke did not want to bat Marsh in his team's second innings but the Western Australian trudged out to the middle when his side was in dire straits at 8 for 21.

He was in obvious pain on his walk to the crease and two balls later he became the fifth second-innings wicket for debutant Vernon Philander, who has match figures of 8 for 78.

Marsh will continue with treatment and medication but Kountouris said the Western Australian's availability will not be clear until next week.

"You usually have to wait the first couple of days once the original spasm and the acuteness of the injury settles down," Kountouris said.

"Once that settles down I'll have a better idea of whether he's more likely to get better in the short term or the longer term.

"He's had this 12 months ago and got better reasonably quickly but every occasion is different.

"We've got plenty of days until the next game so we'll just have to wait and see. We'll probably have a better idea once we get to Johannesburg."

Clarke has suffered from his fair share of back problems and said he will consider the opinions of Kountouris and Marsh before deciding whether his new number three will play at The Wanderers.

Kountouris said discomfort was the only worry for Marsh batting on Thursday and he would not have allowed him to go out if he was likely to be risking long-term injury.

When he arrived at the wicket, Australia was in danger of recording the lowest total ever in Test cricket and Clarke said he could not stop the left-hander from soldiering on.

"You try and tell Shaun Marsh he's not going out there to bat for his country," said Clarke, who is optimistic about his top-order star's recovery.

"I'm confident if he does get it right (treatment) in this period before the second Test, he'll be fine to play.

"He's a big player for us ... and I want to make sure we make the right decision."
AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted November 11, 2011 13:47:04

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Marsh in doubt to finish Test

Updated November 11, 2011 06:34:46

Australian batsman Shaun Marsh is in doubt for the remainder of the first Test against South Africa after he was ruled out of fielding duties on the second day of the match in Cape Town.

Marsh was Australia's second highest scorer in the first innings with 44, but in the latter part of his knock his back began to seize up.

The in-form number three was unable to field and the seriousness of the injury may mean the 28-year-old could miss the rest of the match and possibly the second Test in Johannesburg next week.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris treated Marsh throughout Thursday and the left-armer is also continuing with medication.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, south-africa, australia

First posted November 10, 2011 23:20:47

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