Smith started by facing spin before moving to the fast bowlers’ net, while Warner faced throwdowns from head coach Justin Langer (0:42)
In an interesting first move from Australia, David Warner was slotted in to bat No. 3 on his return to the side with Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja continuing the successful opening combination they forged in India and UAE.
Warner returns to national colours – albeit in an unofficial warm-up match – on the back of a prolific IPL with Australia needing to decide what their top-order combination will be for the World Cup having strung together eight consecutive victories with Warner and Steven Smith still absent from the side.
The week in Brisbane is very much a chance to experiment with various combinations but this line-up was an indication that Warner may not just walk back into the opening position for the World Cup.
Finch and Khawaja put together seven opening stands over 50 in the ten matches against India and Pakistan, including partnerships of 193, 209 and 134 as Australia’s batting order came together following a lengthy fallow period in one-day cricket.
Warner’s IPL form makes him an enticing prospect to bring further power to the top order for the World Cup, but in the lead-up to the training camp in Brisbane both Finch and head coach Justin Langer stopped short of nailing down his position.
“It’s awesome to have options,” Langer said. “The way Usman and Finchy have batted together in the Test matches they played together in the UAE plus what they did in the last two one-day series is brilliant. Dave Warner’s a world-class opening batsman, Shaun Marsh’s been brilliant at No. 3, good at No. 4, Steve Smith can probably bat where he likes or wherever he is in the side, so it’s really exciting to have those five hundred makers at our disposal really.”
Smith, who like Warner has been ill leading into the training camp, was set to take his expected slot at No. 4. Australia will likely try out various options over the three matches against a weakened New Zealand side.
Kane Richardson, who is one of the reserve pace bowlers, was given an early outing as Australia played 12 which was a likely indication that he is the frontrunner to replace Jhye Richardson should he not recover from his dislocated shoulder he suffered in the UAE.
Adam Zampa was given the first run out in the frontline spinner slot. Australia are likely to want three main quicks in their XI at the World Cup which means only one of Zampa and Nathan Lyon will play.
One person whose position and role is in no doubt is Pat Cummins and he made an immediate impression in the opening match with two wickets in his first over. He bowled George Worker second ball then had Henry Nicholls caught behind. New Zealand have just five of their World Cup players in Brisbane with nine at the IPL and Ross Taylor with Middlesex.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo