Australia opener David Warner ruled out of Boxing Day Test

Warner and Sean Abbott have been blocked from rejoining the team's bio-secure bubble after leaving the group to undergo treatment on their respective injuries

David Warner has been ruled out of Australia's Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG.

The opener continues to be hindered by a groin injury suffered during the one-day international series.

And after spending time away from the squad in Sydney during his rehabilitation, he has been blocked from re-joining the squad.

A similar situation has befallen seamer Sean Abbott, who has been nursing a calf problem but he is fully fit again.

Both players travelled from Sydney to Melbourne ahead of the Test amid an outbreak of Covid-19 cases in New South Wales to avoid any possible restrictions over movement between states.

But their arrival comes too late to re-join their teammates ahead of the second Test at the MCG.

Cricket Australia contemplating swapping Sydney and Brisbane Tests of India tour

A Cricket Australia statement added: "While neither player has been in a specific 'hotspot' as outlined by NSW Health, Cricket Australia's biosecurity protocols do not allow them to rejoin the squad in time for the Boxing Day Test."

The absence of Warner and Will Pucovski, whose concussion had yet to fully clear up, means Australia will likely be unchanged in Melbourne.

An update over whether the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground can go ahead is expected before the series, which Australia lead 1-0, resumes.

The MCG hosting back-to-back Tests of the third and fourth matches of the tour - the series concluded at The Gabba - are among the options being considered.

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