David Warner is hopeful he will be fit to play for Australia in the Boxing Day Test.
The star opening batsman suffered a severe groin strain in the ODI series against India in late November.
He has been ruled out of the first Test which kicks off in Adelaide today but says he is working towards a return for the traditional December 26 start in Melbourne against the touring Indian side.
“I am (hopeful), that’s one that I never want to miss out on,” he said on SEN Track’s Bensley.
“It’s my first missed Test through injury so I’m obviously very disappointed with that.
“With the big series that it is, it’s devastating to miss a Test but I know that the guys who are walking out there today are going to put their best foot forward.
“Hopefully we start the series well and try and win this one moving onto Boxing Day and get that momentum into the new year.”
Warner is continuing his rehab program today and will look to up the ante on his running with nine days to go until Boxing Day.
“Hopefully I can get up and about and start running at a higher tempo,” he added.
“I managed to get up to 14 kilometres an hour so I’ve got to work towards a max of 26 to 30 kilometres an hour by next week.
“If I can run between wickets and move laterally and do some ground fielding by the end of next week, I should be ready to go.
“Fingers are crossed.”
With all the talk in the lead-up surrounding who will replace him in the opening slot, Warner is confident the selectors will make the correct choices with the batting order.
Joe Burns is expected to retain his role as opener while youngster Cameron Green will debut, with Matthew Wade moving up the order to open.
“At the end of the day, that’s the selectors’ job, is to pick a team with a balance that moving forward won’t disturb that line-up too much,” he said further.
“There’s talk about Painey (Tim Paine) opening and Wadey (Matthew Wade) opening. I think whoever does the job up the top there with Joe will do a fantastic job.
“And it’s great to see Greeny, who was told he is going to make his debut. That’s obviously fantastic and great to see a young talent like him.
“He’s an extreme talent moving forward for the future of Australian cricket.”
The first ball of the first Test between Australia and India in Adelaide will be bowled at 3pm AEDT (2:30pm local time) today.
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