David Warner will play in tomorrow’s Boxing Day Test for Australia and Shane Watson should too.
But far more grievous matters remain at the forefront of their minds.
Warner batted yesterday for the first time since hurting his thumb in the second Test win over India at the Gabba last week.
Watson also took part in the Christmas Eve session at the MCG, a day after being dazed by a bouncer that struck his helmet.
The hit was a confronting moment for the entire squad, especially the likes of Watson and Warner who were in the field when Phillip Hughes was fatally injured by a bouncer.
“It probably shook him (Watson) up a lot more than he would have anticipated, He was close to Hughesy,” said Warner.
Warner suggested Hughes’ death is never far from his thoughts.
“It’s going to be in the back of my mind every time I play, we have got to keep pushing on. He’d want us to do that,” he said.
Warner did just that at the MCG, starting with some throw-downs from batting coach Michael Di Venuto.
The 28-year-old declared he will be ready for the third Test and that middling the ball would be the best form of pain management.
“I tried to have a dip at the spinners to see if I could actually hit the ball as hard as I can and it did feel real sore,” Warner said.
Watson started the session with a bowling machine in the indoor nets and then faced some medium-pacers in the outdoor nets.
“He practiced as well as I’ve seen him hit the ball. He looked great,” said Warner.
Shaun Marsh was struck on his left hand by a rising delivery from Josh Hazlewood yesterday.
Marsh headed to the rooms for further assessment, but returned to the nets for some throw-downs.
