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Australia v India: David Warner and Shane Watson will play in Boxing Day Test

Image: David Warner: Set to play at MCG

Opener David Warner and all-rounder Shane Watson have overcome injuries and will play for Australia ahead of the Boxing Day Test against India.

The pair returned to training during a Christmas Eve session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Watson, who was dazed when struck on the helmet by a bouncer on Tuesday, took on a bowling machine in the indoor nets before moving outdoors.

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The blow sparked concern Watson might have sustained serious injury, coming after Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was killed by a bouncer on November 25.

Warner, batting for the first time since hurting his thumb in the second Test victory over India in Brisbane last week, passed himself fit and insisted he would keep up the “banter” with the tourists.

"It was a bit sore when it hit the splice and toe of the bat, but that's to be expected," Warner said. "It's going to be quite painful, but I can bear that pain and get out there on Boxing Day."

Indians Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma have all been fined for their conduct in the four-Test series, as has Warner after a heated exchange in the first Test in Adelaide.

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"If it requires a little bit of banter to get the other person talking, that's what is going to happen," said Warner.

"I like to go at them, to try and get them to bite back at me when I go out there and bat. At the moment it's working," Warner added.

Indian attempts to rile Mitchell Johnson backfired with the fast bowler taking four wickets and smashing 88 runs in a match-winning performance in Brisbane.

I like to go at them, to try and get them to bite back at me when I go out there and bat.
Australia star David Warner

With batsman Mitchell Marsh ruled out through injury, Joe Burns is likely to be given his Test debut. The Queensland batsman, 25, has been linked with move to Somerset next year, but his Test call-up may have put paid to that.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris is fit after missing the second Test with injury, and he could return at the expense of Mitchell Starc, though Peter Siddle is another strong option on what is his home ground.

India trail 2-0 in the series and must reverse a 23-year losing streak in Melbourne to stop Australia regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

All-rounder Akshar Patel has replaced the injured Ravindra Jadeja in India's squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

Patel, who turns 21 in January, is a left-arm spinner who has taken 14 wickets in nine one-day internationals but has not played a Test.

Jadeja has a shoulder injury and will return home to undergo rehabilitation.

Watch the Boxing Day Test live on Sky Sports 2, with coverage from 11.30pm on Christmas Day.

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