Sydney: Australia opening batsman David Warner is recovering well after being struck in the neck by a bouncer from team mate Josh Hazlewood and should be fit for the upcoming two-Test series in Bangladesh, coach Darren Lehmann said on Wednesday.
The opener was hit by a Josh Hazelwood delivery in a chilling blow on Tuesday that saw him drop to his knees and let go of his bat, with captain Steve Smith rushing from slips to check on his deputy.
Appearing shaken, Warner removed his helmet and immediately walked off the field leaving his bat behind.
With the squad set to depart for Bangladesh on Friday ahead of the first Test in Dhaka, which starts on August 27, Lehmann expected Warner to board the flight.
“He seems alright, walking around the ground today, so fingers crossed he’ll be OK and we’ll get an update in the next day or two,” Lehmann told reporters.
“It’s always a scare when that happens, isn’t it? Hopefully he’s going to be OK.”
Cricket Australia’s news site cricket.com.au said the fiery left-hander had passed a concussion test but would sit out the rest of the intra-squad match in Darwin, Australia’s Northern Territory.
“It’s good that Davey’s fine,” Aussie pacemen Pat Cummins said after close of play Tuesday. “He’s a little bit stiff and sore, but just speaking to him then, he’s all fine.”
A focus on player safety has been heightened since the tragic death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.
Hughes, who played 26 Tests, died from bleeding on the brain in November 2014 after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a domestic match.
