Dumped from the Australian side only five days ago, Glenn Maxwell will join Steve Smith's team in Brisbane on Wednesday as injury cover for David Warner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The vice-captain is confident of playing in the first Ashes Test starting at the Gabba on Thursday but selectors are taking no risks just in case he does not properly overcome a stiff neck picked up during a fielding drill on Tuesday.
Maxwell, who has played the last four Tests for Australia, was left out of the 13-man squad in Brisbane, with Shaun Marsh preferred at No.6. In the event Warner is a last-minute scratching he would come into the line-up in the middle order and Marsh would join debutant Cameron Bancroft as an opener.
The Victorian would be making his home Test debut in the event he was required at the Gabba. Smith, however, believes Warner will be fit to play.
"It's part and parcel of cricket, guys have injuries every now and again and have little niggles," Smith said. "But we are confident that he will be OK. He said he will bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to and face the other way. But I think he will be all right."
Warner could only face two balls in the nets on Tuesday before leaving to receive treatment on his neck. On Wednesday morning he was last into the nets before spending a lengthy period having balls tossed at him by Cricket Australia spin bowling coach John Davison.
"It's more going back [he feels discomfort], a little bit side to side, mainly going back," Smith said.
"But I think he has improved the last 24 hours and hopefully he can keep improving and be 100 per cent at 10am tomorrow morning."
