Warner falls short in opening return

David Warner returned to opener but was out for a duck early in Australia's second 50-over World Cup warm-up clash with New Zealand at Brisbane's Allan Border Field today.

In a side that made five changes from the one that snuck home by a wicket against the same opposition on Monday, Warner was shuffled from No.3 back up to his customary opening slot, trading places with Usman Khawaja and reforming his partnership with skipper Aaron Finch.

The left-hander, who began scratchily before making 39 from 43 balls in his return to Australian colours two days ago, defended calmly initially, then played-and-missed from one Doug Bracewell delivery, before the same bowler induced a leading edge to cover-point moments later.

The end result for Warner was a six-ball duck, but far from disappearing into the dressing rooms to stew on what might have been, the 32-year-old was soon walking briskly around to the nearby Ray Lindwall Oval nets, where he put himself through a lengthy session of throwdowns from assistant coach Graeme Hick under the warm Brisbane sun.

It was an impressive opening spell from Bracewell, who put the ball in good areas to restrict the scoring and then had Finch caught behind for 16.

Having spent minimal time at the crease today, it would now seem likely that Warner will take part in all three warm-up games this week as he switches gears from Twenty20 mode to the 50-over format.

The opening batsman produced a remarkable string of scores for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recent Indian Premier League, departing for this World Cup camp as the tournament's leading scorer with 692 runs, eight fifties and a hundred from 12 innings.

For the Aussies on Wednesday, Shaun Marsh came in at No.4, with Steve Smith listed at five and Glenn Maxwell at six.

Marcus Stoinis, who also took part in the IPL, is the batsman being rested.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE