David Warner is heading home after withdrawing from the upcoming five-match T20I series in India that starts from Thursday. Warner was Australia’s top run-getter in the recently concluded ODI World Cup as they won a record-extending sixth title.
“Selectors decided Warner would return home on the back of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign,” Cricket Australia said in a statement on Tuesday.
Warner is the latest among the Australia stars who will not be taking part in the series which will be the first of their build-up for the T20 World Cup next year.
Australia have called up allrounder Aaron Hardie as Warner’s replacement. The 23-year-old made his T20I debut earlier this year against South Africa in August.
Warner scored 535 runs from 11 matches including two centuries.
Meanwhile, Australia have also added allrounder Kane Richardson to their squad as replacement for Spencer Johnson who has a hamstring injury.
The likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood are also not part of the T20I squad which will be led by wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade.
Australia will also be without their head coach Andrew McDonald who is also heading home. Andre Borovec will be their stand-in coach.
The five-match T20I series starts from November 23, four days after Australia defeated India in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad.
With this series, both India and Australia kickstart their preparations for the next year’s T20I world cup to be co-hosted by West Indies and USA.
The first match will be held in Vishakhapatnam while the series concludes in Bengaluru.
After the conclusion of their India tour, Australia will then start prepping up for the home Test series against Pakistan starting December 14 in Perth.
Australia’s updated T20I squad: Matthew Wade (captain), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa
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