A drive from the bat of David Warner injured a net bowler, temporarily halting Australia’s net session on the eve of their World Cup game against India.

The bowler needed hospital treatment after he was hit in the head in The Oval nets, but eye-witnesses reported he was laughing as he was stretchered away.

Warner took time out in the wake of the incident before rejoining his team-mates, and Australia captain Aaron Finch later said his opening batsman had been rattled by the incident.

ICC confirms net bowler has been taken to hospital for precautionary measures. But say he was conscious and smiling when he left. The early signs are good signs. #CWC19

— Sam Landsberger ? (@SamLandsberger) June 8, 2019

“Dave was pretty shaken up,” said Finch. “The young guy seems to be in pretty good spirits at the moment, he’s obviously been taken to hospital and will continue to be assessed just to make sure everything is okay.

“It was a decent hit to the head. Hopefully everything keeps going well for the youngster and is back up and running shortly. It was tough to watch.”

Australia and India go into Sunday’s game in south London each yet to lose at the tournament, although Virat Kohli’s side have played just once.

Warner, in fine form following his return to the game earlier this year in the wake of his ban for ball-tampering, suffered a rare recent failure in Australia’s last game against West Indies.