Despite stiff neck, Warner determined to play first Ashes Test

Brisbane, Nov 22 - Determined to play the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba, Australia vice-captain David Warner, nursing a stiff neck, is considering adopting the unorthodox front-on stance of West Indian great Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Warner, who twinged his neck while

"Davey is going well. He had a hit just before and he's very confident. He said he'll be right to go," Smith said.

On Warner's comment about adopting Chanderpaul's stance, Smith said: "He said he'll even bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to and face the other way, so I think he'll be alright.

"It's improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours. Hopefully he can keep improving and he'll be 100 percent come 10 o'clock in the morning," the skipper added.

Warner had a 30-minute net session at the Gabba on Wednesday, facing some throwdowns from assistant coach John Davison.

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IANS