'What was he doing': Disbelief over embarrassing David Warner moment
David Warner's horror run of form with the bat has continued in Australia's T20 World Cup warm-up clash with New Zealand, dismissed for a golden duck.
The out-of-sorts opener was caught behind off the first ball of the innings in an ominous start to Australia's run chase after New Zealand posted a competitive 7-158.
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Warner bizarrely decided to advance down the pitch to Tim Southee's first ball, but was dismissed by a diving catch from Martin Guptill after a thick outside edge.
"What was he doing?" West Indies great Brian Lara said in commentary.
There are major concerns about Warner ahead of Australia's opening World Cup clash with South Africa on Saturday night (AEDT).
He has had little time in the middle since being dumped as captain of Indian Premier League outfit Sunrisers Hyderabad and then left out of the team completely after two failures when the tournament resumed last month.
After Aussie coach Justin Langer backed Warner to fire in the national team, he lasted just one ball on Tuesday morning.
"Over the years we've seen when he's got his back against the wall, he's a fighter," skipper Aaron Finch said last week.
"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 made 0 and 2 in his only games for Hyderabad when the IPL resumed in the UAE.
Aussies secure final-over victory against New Zealand
Despite Warner's failure, Australia held on to clinch a three-wicket win in their opening warm-up clash in Abu Dhabi.
Australia looked in trouble after losing 3-1 - including the prized scalps of Steve Smith (35) and Marcus Stoinis (28) - to slump to 6-115 in the 16th over.
But after Ashton Agar (23) was dismissed with Australia needing eight runs to win off three balls, Josh Inglis coolly stepped up to thrash Kyle Jamieson for consecutive fours and ice a morale boosting win with a delivery to spare.
Finch hit 24 off 19 while Mitch Marsh thrashed 24 off 15 to lead a recovery before Smith and Stoinis shared a 48-run fourth wicket stand.
Mitchell Santner (3-22) took two wickets in an over, combining with Trent Boult (2-13) to spark Australia's mini-collapse before Agar and Mitchell Starc (13 not out) hit back, ensuring they needed 13 to win off the final over.
Australia claimed a rare T20 victory without using Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitch Swepson and Josh Hazlewood.
Australia - who play another warm-up against India on Wednesday (AEDT) - have fallen from top spot to seventh in the T20 rankings with just six wins from their past 21 games.
with AAP
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