David Warner falls early in return red-ball match for Australia

David Warner has lasted just 10 balls in his first red-ball appearance for an Australian side since the ill-fated Newlands Test.

The 32-year-old opened with Marcus Harris in the Australian intra-squad clash at Southampton after Tim Paine won the toss against Travis Head.

But Warner, who is fully expected to open with Harris when the Ashes begin at Edgbaston on August 1, was caught off the bowling of Michael Neser.

He made just four runs before edging to Matthew Wade at mid-off.

Kurtis Patterson was listed to bat at No.3 but Marnus Labuschagne was sent out following Warner’s dismissal.

Warner’s disappointed return innings will be a minor hiccup after his impressive Cricket World Cup form.

While scoring slower than his usual ODI rate, the batsman made three centuries and three further fifties as Australia reached the semi-finals.

Paine, with Neser joined in the attack by James Pattinson, Jackson Bird, Chris Tremain and Nathan Lyon, made the decision to bowl first on a pitch expected to offer some early assistance.

The call paid off as Neser followed the Warner wicket with an lbw dismissal of Harris for six runs off 21 balls.

The selection showdown is Australia’s only tune-up before facing England in the five-Test Ashes series.

England, meanwhile, begin a four-day Test match against Ireland at Lord’s on Wednesday.

James Anderson has been ruled out as he races to be fit to face Australia.

Aussie showdown teams

Brad Haddin XII: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Kurtis Patterson, Travis Head (capt), Marnus Labuschagne, Will Pucovski, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland.

Graeme Hick XII: Joe Burns, Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Mitch Marsh, Tim Paine (capt), Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Jackson Bird, Chris Tremain, Nathan Lyon.

with AAP