David Warner is very, very close to playing the Sydney Test: Adam Gilchrist

Cricket Australia (CA) made two-four changes in their Test squad for the last two games against India, starting from January 7 at Sydney Cricket Ground. While David Warner, Will Pucovski and Sean Abbott have been drafted in the squad, out-of-form Joe Burns was dropped from the team.

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist is happy with the inclusion of Warner in the squad and feels that the opening batsman can play the third Test against India as he has almost recovered from his groin injury. Warner had suffered a groin injury during the second ODI between India and Australia and thus had to give the T20I series along with the two Test matches a miss.

Speaking to Fox Sports News, Gilchrist said: “He’s (David Warner) very, very close (to playing). The way I look at it, he must have been pretty close to Melbourne the way he rushed down here to make sure he wasn’t caught by any border closures but he obviously didn’t get up for Melbourne,” Gilchrist said.

“But if he’s moving around a lot as we’ve seen. The Australians will have two days training here in Melbourne and then they head up to Sydney so I would expect he will be all right to go. It’s just a question of who will be at the other end with him,” he added.

Will Pucovski, who had suffered a concussion during a practice game between India A and Australia A, also made a comeback in the Australian squad, however, Gilchrist isn’t in the favour of Will playing the Third Test. The veteran believes that since Pucovski hasn’t featured in many training sessions or matches after getting hit on the head, his chances of making it to the Playing XI are extremely low.

“My natural instinct is that if you bring someone into a squad, a la Pucovski, you’re probably going to play him. It may not be that certain. Since his blow to the head he hasn’t really had any other cricket to go and play, so perhaps they’re bringing him in more as cover should something else happen or if they want to play him in the fourth Test.”

Will Pucovski can replace Travis Head in the fourth Test: Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist backed Matthew Wade to open the innings for the hosts with David Warner as Wade showed his promise and character in the two Test games against India and can lay the foundation of scoring a big total for his team.

The former Aussie wicket-keeper also feels that Sydney might be the last chance for Travis Head, who is suffering from a poor run with the willow. Gilchrist believes that the 27-year-old can be replaced by Will Pucovski in the last Test against India if he doesn’t play a match-defining knock at SCG.

“I don’t think he’s fallen foul of the selectors just yet, I think they’ll show faith in him for at least one more Test match. Then if changes need to be made, obviously they’ll have Pucovski there with a week of good solid training under his belt with the team. He’ll be there for Brisbane if they want to make a change.” Adam Gilchrist concluded.