David Warner optimistic of recovering from finger injury ahead of next match

David Warner’s 109 against South Africa was his first ODI century outside Australia

David Warner’s 109 was the difference between the two teams last night, as Australia won by 36 runs after bowling out South Africa for 252, in the ongoing Tri-series in West Indies. In the 39th over of the Proteas chase, Warner attempted to take a diving catch of JP Duminy, off the bowling of Mitchell Marsh, when he suffered a blow to the index finger of his left hand. 

The 29-year-old Australian immediately left the field writhing in pain but took solace in the fact that it did not hurt as much as his previous thumb injury and is hopeful of being available for the next match against West Indies on Monday.

Warner highlighted at the post-match conference that although the nail had turned blue, it did not hurt as much as a broken finger and he is positive of being fit for the next game. He was previously out of action for a while, owing to his thumb fracture, which he suffered during the One Day International against England at Lord’s in September 2015.

"The finger is quite sore. We'll keep assessing it over the next 24 hours. It's quite painful. To me it's just got the same bruising marks as a normal bung on the finger does. I'm always hopeful. A sore finger is not going to stop me but if it's broken, that might.

"I was a bit hesitant. When I first looked at it, it didn't look too good. It had that sort of purple mark on the nail. But it doesn't feel like the thumb … I've broken the thumb twice, I know what that feels like. Hopefully, I'm being positive, and there's not too much damage," Warner said. 

Australia would want Warner to return at the earliest, given his phenomenal form

In spite of the small grounds in West Indies, the teams have generally struggled to put up runs on the board, with most of the encounters being low-scoring affairs. Australia’s score of 288 last night, is the highest total in the series so far.

Warner’s hundred was his sixth in ODI’s and his first century outside Australia. The left-handed batsman has been in tremendous form this year and is the leading run-scorer in ODI in 2016, scoring 511 runs in nine innings at an astounding average of 63.87. 

The opener was in a scintillating form even in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, finishing the tournament as the second highest run-getter with 848 runs and leading his team, Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title, against Royal Challengers Bangalore on 29 May at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium.