Lehmann confident of Warner's recovery

Australia's coach Darren Lehmann has said he is confident opener David Warner will be fit for the first Test in Dubai after suffering a groin injury during the third ODI in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Warner has sat out of the warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah, although team management said that was always the plan in order to freshen him up for the Tests. He walked laps of the ground on Thursday but will have no opportunity to prove his fitness in a match before the first Test, which starts on Wednesday.

"Pretty confident," Lehmann said when asked of Warner's likelihood of playing in Dubai. "Only time will tell. He's walking around no dramas, I think he will be fine."

Warner is not the only injury concern the Australians have. Captain Michael Clarke and allrounder Mitchell Marsh are both recovering from hamstring problems and both batted on Thursday in Sharjah.

Clarke was out for 10 from 31 deliveries, but did not appear hampered at all during his stay at the crease, which included a quick single to get off the mark. Marsh lasted only three balls and scored a duck, but he fielded on the first day without any problems. But it will only be when Marsh bowls on the third day that Australia will learn whether his hamstring is likely to stand up to a Test debut.

"Hopefully Mitchell Marsh is going to bowl in the second innings," Lehmann said. "We'd love him to bowl and prove some fitness aspects there."