Australian opener David Warner has been ruled out of the third and final T20 against New Zealand with groin soreness.
On Saturday, Cricket Australia confirmed the 37-year-old would miss the dead rubber at Auckland’s Eden Park due to an adductor complaint. Warner, who scored 32 during the series opener in Wellington, did not feature in the second T20 against New Zealand, which Australia won by 72 runs.
“Warner will require a brief recovery period which is not expected to affect his availability for the upcoming Indian Premier League leading into to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” CA said in a statement.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand vs Australia third T20 live scorecard
The setback means Steve Smith looks likely to keep his place in the starting XI for Sunday’s contest against the Black Caps, serving as the New South Welshman’s final audition for a spot in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. However, Josh Inglis and Matt Short could also be given an opportunity to open the batting for the third T20.
Meanwhile, Black Caps wicketkeeper Devon Conway has been ruled out of the series finale with a thumb injury, while rising star Rachin Ravindra is also in doubt.
Australia has already retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the third T20 getting underway at 11am AEDT.
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