Advertisement

'He'll be ready': Skipper's World Cup call amid shock Dave Warner axing

David Warner has been backed to turn his fortunes around after a shock IPL axing. Pic: Instagram
David Warner has been backed to turn his fortunes around after a shock IPL axing. Pic: Instagram

Australia's limited overs captain Aaron Finch has thrown his support behind veteran batsman David Warner, amid a career slump that saw him sensationally dropped by Indian Premier League side, Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Warner - who is the fourth-highest run-scorer in IPL history - was first dropped as Sunrisers captain, before being left out of the side completely after just two matches back into the restarted tournament.

'SO SAD': Cricket world's big fear after latest Pucovski concussion

'NOTHING WILL CHANGE': Legend's swipe amid Aussie cricket turmoil

'THIS IS ABSURD': Travis Head powers to historic one-day innings

The opener only managed scores of 0 and 2 when the tournament resumed, and admits he was left searching for answers after being axed from the starting XI.

"Look, I'm not 100% sure," Warner told Sports Today when asked about his axing.

"With utmost respect for the owners, Trevor Bayliss, [VVS] Laxman, Tom Moody and Murali [Muthiah Muralidaran], when a decision gets made, it has to be unanimous. But you don't know who is going for you, who wants you the selected, who doesn't. End of the day you're told you're not playing.

"The disappointing thing for me was not being explained why I was dropped as captain. I think if you want to go along the lines of form, it's a difficult one because I guess whatever you've done in the past would have some weightage moving forward, especially when you've played 100 [95] games for the franchise."

David Warner (pictured) has finally opened up about being axed from the Sunrisers' captain's role. (Images: IPL)
David Warner (pictured) opened up about his axing as Sunrisers' captain. (Images: IPL)

Warner's predicament is hardly an ideal situation leading into the T20 World Cup, beginning next month in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

However, Finch insists the 34-year-old has been in "great spirits" among the Australian camp and backed the "fighter" to turn his fortunes around for the tournament.

Aussie skipper tips David Warner to bounce back

"Over the years we've seen when he's (Warner) got his back against the wall, he's a fighter," Finch said.

"I've got no issues with the preparation he's had.

"He's come here in great spirits, he's come here with a great attitude and that's rubbing off on the boys.

"He's organising things behind the scenes, he's doing everything that he loves to do.

"I've got no issues, and come game one he'll be ready to go."

Warner opted to skip the recent limited overs tours to the West Indies and Bangladesh, which Australia lost 4-1 in the T20s.

He was not the only star Australian batter to have a tough time in the IPL, with Steve Smith also struggling for form.

Finch envisages taking a flexible approach to the batting line-up during the tournament, including for the opening game against South Africa on October 23.

"(Glenn Maxwell's) a beautiful striker of the ball and someone who can change momentum of the game really quickly," Finch said.

"On wickets that potentially could be a little bit wearing, that can be a huge asset.

"He'll be adaptable in that middle order."

Star fast bowler Pat Cummins has just arrived in the UAE, after staying back in Australia for the birth of his first child.

After Cummins and partner Becky welcomed a baby boy, he flew out from Sydney and is completing six days of quarantine before joining up with the rest of the squad.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.