Warner to rest after helping break record

WITH this series overlapping with their tour to India, Australia have opted to rest batsman David Warner.

Instead, he will head to Dubai for a training camp ahead of that Test tour of India with Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh being called up to Australia’s squad for the three games in New Zealand.

Warner has not missed a match for Australia in any format since the one-day tri-series in the West Indies in June, when he flew home with a fractured finger.

That means he has played all 29 matches that Australia have played across all formats, the only man to have done so, and the selectors believe a rest will do him good.

Interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said:“David has had a very big summer and will benefit from a break, both mentally and physically.

“He will travel to Dubai in the second group of departures to coincide with those players arriving from the one-day series in New Zealand.

“This gives Aaron (Finch) an opportunity to return to the side. His form in the Big Bash League has been very good and he has earned his recall.

“With Usman (Khawaja) heading to Dubai in the first group of players this provides Shaun (Marsh) with a chance to get back into international cricket following his injury earlier in the summer.”

The first ODI in Auckland takes place on Monday four days on from yesterday’s ODI against Pakistan where Warner and Travis Head made the highest opening ODI partnership for Australia, 284 runs, to set up a comfortable win.

They put Australia on their way to 369-7 and although Pakistan managed their highest total of the series with 312 they still suffered a 57-run defeat. Australia won the ODI series 4-1.