Australian cricketers David Warner, Sean Abbott to miss Boxing Day Test against India

Australian opener David Warner and pacer Sean Abbott were, on Wednesday, ruled out of the second Test against India that begins December 26. The omission comes as both Warner and Abbott were outside the team’s bio-secure hub to receive treatment for their respective groin and calf injuries.  

The duo was flown out to Melbourne ahead of schedule on Saturday due to concerns over the recent outbreak of coronavirus in Sydney’s northern beaches.

“While neither player has been in a specific ‘hotspot’ on Sydney’s northern beaches as outlined by NSW Health, Cricket Australia’s biosecurity protocols do not allow them to rejoin the squad in time for the Boxing Day Test,” PTI quoted Cricket Australia as saying in a statement.

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“The pair travelled from Sydney to Melbourne to continue their rehabilitation given the changing public health situation in Sydney at the time.”

Warner still hasn’t recovered fully from the groin injury, sustained during the ODI series. He had missed the series-opening day-night Test, while Abbott has recovered from a calf strain but he is unlikely to break into a playing XI that beat India by eight wickets last week.

Australia are leading the four-Test series 1-0 after winning the pink ball match by eight wickets inside three days.

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Cricket Australia said “no additional players will be added to the squad for the Boxing Day Test” and “David Warner and Sean Abbott will rejoin the Australian men’s Test squad ahead of the third Test against India.”

The third Test begins on January 7 and will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.