Sore Warner insists he'll play Gabba Test

Nov 21, 2017 - 6:09 AM David Warner didn't contribute on Tuesday to the pre-Ashes war of words, but a neck injury suffered by Australia's vice-captain meant he continued to dominate the build-up.

Warner twinged his neck and immediately called for assistance after taking a high catch during Australia's second last training session before the first Test.

The aggressive opener is not considered in any great doubt for the five-Test series opener that starts on Thursday, but his preparation has clearly been affected.

Warner was in obvious discomfort when he attempted to bat on Tuesday, lasting only two throwdowns before trudging off to the rooms for treatment.

Warner is adamant he will be fit for day one of the Gabba clash.

"I don't think a sore neck is going to keep me out (of the Test)," he said.

"Hopefully, it settles down in the next 24 or 48 hours ... I'll try and have a hit tomorrow.

"My neck is quite stiff ... quite sore.

"I haven't really had a stiff neck like this one but I'll get some treatment tonight, get some heat packs on it and some fingers into it."

Warner indicated it wasn't pain that forced him to leave the nets.

"I couldn't align myself, face on, with Hicky (batting coach Graeme Hick)," he said, explaining he did not want to form bad habits.

The absence of Warner would be an immense blow to the hosts, with Shaun Marsh likely to replace him at the top of the order and a newcomer drafted into the XI. The other obvious option would be for local Test discard Matthew Renshaw to earn a last-minute reprieve.

The Australian camp is yet to start any discussions, such is their confidence that Warner will soon be fit.

England allrounder Moeen Ali scoffed at the suggestion Warner could miss the first Test.

"He'll be fine," he said.

Warner last month reignited cricket's most-storied rivalry, upsetting England by using the words 'hatred' and 'war' to detail the combative approach he wanted Australia to take this summer.

As the phoney war rumbled along, with England veteran Alastair Cook directing uncharacteristically forthright comments at the Australian camp, Warner noted the time for talk was over.

"It's about time we got on with the cricket," he said.

That means yet another opening partner for Warner, who was thoroughly impressed with Cameron Bancroft's concentration against the Test attack in a recent Sheffield Shield game.

"He knows how to handle the Gabba. I think it's more about the crowd and the occasion. First game, you're quite nervous," Warner said of his advice for the debutant.

"I'll ask him whether he wants to take the first ball of the series. If he wants it, he can have it. If not, I'll take it. "

Wet weather continues to hamper retiring curator Kevin Mitchell's preparation for the series opener, with further rain forecast throughout the week.

"No different to normal, a little bit of sideways movement early then it'll settle down into a pretty good batting deck," Mitchell said of the likely pitch.

Source: AAP