Warner ruled out of first Test

Australia's injury woes continue ahead of the first Test against India, with star opener David Warner ruled out with a groin strain.

Warner sustained the injury in the 2nd ODI against India on November 29th at the SCG, and hasn't made a sufficient recovery to be considered for the opening Test of the summer.

Warner made twin centuries against India in the corresponding Test in 2014 at the same venue, leaving Australia without one of their batting linchpins for a day night Test under lights against a strong Indian bowling attack.

Warner is hopeful of making a return in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

"I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it's best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness," Warner said.

"The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my team-mates that it is 100 per cent ready for Test match conditions.

"That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field. Right now, I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference."

Australia coach Justin Langer said Warner's supreme fitness levels gave the side great confidence he may be fully fit for the second Test.

"If there is one guy you know will go well above and beyond that's Dave," Langer said.

"He has done an incredible job to get to where he is today and we hope to have a fully fit David Warner at his absolute best in Melbourne."

The news comes less than 24 hours after Test aspirant Will Pucovski was hit on the helmet late on day three of Australia A's tour match against an Indian XI, which left him displaying mild concussion symptoms.

Warner will remain in Sydney while those in the Test squad who are not playing the day-night tour match travel to Adelaide today.

Ben McDermott has been called in to the Australia A squad, with Marcus Harris and Joe Burns set to open the batting in the tour match starting Friday.

IMAGE: Newshub.