David Warner gave Australia cause for concern when he limped off the SCG with a groin injury during the second ODI. He injured himself diving to make a save early in India’s chase.
In the fourth over, Shikhar Dhawan punched the ball towards mid-off, where Warner came cross and produced a tumble dive to intercept the ball. It appeared the injury was caused when he rolled the second time.
He took a couple of minutes to get himself to his feet and was then helped off the field by the Australia physio.
A Cricket Australia spokesman confirmed the injury and that Warner would go for scans on Sunday evening.
The final ODI of this series is in Canberra on Wednesday followed by three T20Is in quick succession, but the main concern for Australia would be an impact to Warner’s availability for the Test series which begins in Adelaide on December 17.
In the shorter term, if Australia needed a replacement opener for the final ODI and the T20Is they would probably opt for Matthew Wade.
Earlier in the day Warner made 83 in Australia’s huge total of 4 for 389. He is the second injury Australia have suffered in this series following Marcus Stoinis’ side strain which saw him ruled of the second game.
The Australia A match against India at Drummoyne Oval, starting December 6, has been billed as a potential trial between Joe Burns and Will Pucovski to partner Warner at the top of the Test order.
However, so far there has been a lot of backing for the incumbent Burns even though Pucovski has scored back-to-back double hundreds this season.