Warner confirms Blues Shield return

David Warner’s chances of playing in the first Commonwealth Bank Test have received a significant boost after the opener confirmed he is fit to play in next week’s opening round of the Sheffield Shield.

Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann last week stated that Warner needed to feature in the four-day clash – to be played under lights with the pink Kookaburra ball – in order to be considered for the series opener at the Gabba on November 5.

Warner took to social media this evening to declare his excitement for a return to action against the West End Redbacks at the Adelaide Oval starting on Wednesday.

It has been almost seven weeks since the explosive left-hander’s thumb was broken by a rising delivery from England paceman Steven Finn in the second ODI on the Qantas Tour of the British Isles. 

WATCH: Warner retires hurt with broken thumb

Warner had earlier this week made a return to the nets slightly ahead of schedule as he looks to prove his fitness for the three-Test series against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand.

"I had an x-ray this morning and got some good news,” Warner said last Friday. “The break has started to come together and I’m going to have a little light hit on Tuesday morning with just some underarm throws and stuff and then get into it on Thursday, Friday.

"I will just manage it as well as I can, I’ll probably face bowlers the day before we leave for (the Shield match in) Adelaide. 

"Just so I don't have the recurrence of being hit by one of the bowlers on that thumb.

"But there’s a very, very realistic chance I’m going to be playing in that Shield match and positive signs."

Meanwhile, up to three of Warner’s prospective Test opening batting partners will go head-to-head against New Zealand in Canberra over the next three days.

Western Australian Cameron Bancroft and Queensland pair Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns will all play for the Prime Minister’s XI in the pink-ball one-day clash at Manuka Oval tomorrow, followed by an appearance in a two-day match for the Cricket Australia XI this weekend.

The trio will all look to push their case against a Black Caps outfit to be led by stand-in skipper Tim Southee after varying degrees of success in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup in Sydney.

Speaking with cricket.com.au last night, cricket legend and Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductee Ricky Ponting favoured Bancroft to join Warner at the top of the order at the Gabba with Khawaja to slot in at No.3. 

WATCH: Ponting picks first Test team

Fans will be able to stream all the action from Canberra for free on cricket.com.au, starting at 2pm AEDT Friday.