Warner received prolonged treatment from the Australia team doctor and physio for the blow on the elbow and was in quite a lot of discomfort. He had the elbow strapped before continuing to bat. But after the second blow on the helmet he did not undergo a concussion test or get his helmet changed. Warner changed his gloves at the end of the 10th over and the team doctor came out to check on him. The doctor had a brief discussion with Warner about where the ball hit the helmet but went back to the dugout without closely examining Warner or the helmet itself.
He continued to bat on before edging Mohammed Shami to the wicketkeeper for a laboured 15 and didn’t field late in the day when Australia began bowling.
At the time he was described as not feeling “100%” and after further assessment during the evening, he failed a concussion test and has been withdrawn from the match.
“Warner will now follow the graduated return to sport protocols ahead of the third Test in Indore in line with Cricket Australia guidelines,” a CA statement said.
Warner also had a scan on his arm which revealed he had a small, stable hairline fracture in his left elbow. It is understood he was going to bat again in the game but would not have fielded. He would have been able to open without fielding given he suffered an external blow and there were no concerns about further damage to the elbow. But the concussion made that a moot point.
It is understood a small, stable hairline fracture of the elbow would normally take a minimum of six weeks to heal properly meaning Warner would not be at 100% fitness and would likely have to play through pain if he were to play again in the Test series or the ODI series that follows. The IPL also starts in exactly six weeks’ time.
Renshaw will open the batting in the second innings but ICC match referee Andy Pycroft confirmed he will not be allowed to bowl as Warner’s replacement. Renshaw played in the first Test in Nagpur but was left out following the innings defeat to accommodate the return of Travis Head.
Although Renshaw made his comeback into the Test side this season via the middle order, he has experience at the top – he opened throughout the first phase of his career from 2016-17.
Australia have had a number of injury problems on this tour. Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc did not recover from their broken fingers in time to make the team in Delhi while Josh Hazlewood has also missed the first two matches.