David Warner prepared for long-term pain from groin injury

Australian opener David Warner has admitted the groin injury has kept him out of half the Test series against India over the New Year and might still be causing him pain for another nine months.

The Aussie batsman sustained the injury in an ODI against India in November. He missed the first two Tests against the men in blue before playing partially-fit for the remaining matches against India as Australia was defeated 2-1.

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The 34-year-old will be key to Australia’s hope in retaining Ashes when the England tour at the end of this year, but according to David Warner, he might not be playing pain-free until just before that series.

“I am almost back to full 100% sprinting in a straight line,” he said while commentating on Australia’s first Twenty20 against New Zealand on Monday.

“This next week is getting back to fielding, picking up, throwing — very difficult that was the last couple of weeks, even trying to throw.

“Now it’s all about lateral (movement), running between wickets, building that up.

“It’s just the tendon that has got that slight tear in it now. It’s going to aggravate me for the next six to nine months but I am sure the medicos will help me out there.”

Warner is scheduled to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad in this the Indian Premier League in April. He was selected for Australia’s Test tour of South Africa but was later left our due to health concerns.

Having spoken to athletes who suffered similar injuries, Warner said, “They have just said it’s a niggle.”

“You have just got to teach your brain to not worry about the pain and that it’s not going to happen again.

“It’s just getting back that confidence to sidestep and run as hard as I can and dive around again. Once I get that, I will be right to go. It’s just not 100% there yet,” he added.