“I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to get back as quickly as possible”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia opener David Warner has been ruled out of the upcoming tour of Bangladesh due to a fractured left thumb.

Warner, who will not require surgery, suffered the injury after being struck off the first delivery he faced from England pace bowler Steven Finn in the second ODI at Lord’s.

“It’s really disappointing,” Warner said. “I never want to miss a match for Australia but I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to get back as quickly as possible.”

Cricket Australia have confirmed that Warner will not be able to bat or field for the next six weeks. As a result of this, the national selectors will have to pick a brand new opening pair for the two-Test series against Bangladesh as Warner’s regular opening partner Chris Rogers retired from international cricket at the end of the recent Ashes series against England. In addition to finding a new opening pair, the national selectors will also need to appoint an interim vice-captain.

“David has been told that the fracture will take at least four weeks to stabilise and a further two weeks before he can start batting and catching again,” Cricket Australia executive general manager of team performance Pat Howard said. “He will be reviewed by the specialist at the end of the month to determine when he can resume playing. “Ideally we’d like him to play the Sheffield Shield round beginning on 27 October as preparation for the New Zealand series.

“When the selectors meet over the coming days to choose the squad for Bangladesh, they will be asked to nominate a vice-captain for that tour.”