Finch sounds Warner warning to bowlers

David Warner won't be content to merely resume his international cricket career at the upcoming World Cup.

According to his Australia ODI captain Aaron Finch, the explosive opener has set himself to dominate bowlers when the tournament begins later this month and he showed that single-minded intent during his spectacular Indian Premier League stint over recent weeks.

Warner's 692 runs at an average of 69.2 and a strike rate of almost 144 per 100 balls faced remains the benchmark in this year's ongoing IPL competition, and bodes well for Australia's World Cup defence.

The left-hander's return, along with former captain Steve Smith, from year-long suspensions over their involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering controversy remains the unknown quantity for Australia ahead of the World Cup beginning in the UK on May 30.

But Finch believes Warner has already shown the mindset and method he will take into the ICC showpiece tournament, and that Finch's own recent experiences have galvanised his view that the star pair's enforced lay-off might ultimately yield a long-term benefit.

"I think he (Warner) is coming back with a huge hunger, not just to perform well for his (IPL) franchise and things like that but to dominate international cricket again," Finch told Melbourne radio station SEN yesterday.

"When you have your dream taken away from you for 12 months, there would be something deep inside you that burns really strongly.

"He’s a super player and we know how destructive he can be.

"I think having that time off to spend with his family and get away from the game … yeah it was unfortunate and they served their ban and they’re back.

"But it is such an important time for everyone to embrace that and embrace them coming back into the culture."

Having endured a rollercoaster southern summer in which he made his Test debut, and was then axed from the team amid a form slump that affected his red and white-ball results, Finch developed a deeper appreciation for the toll that constant cricket can take.

For that reason, he sees that the extended period both Warner and Smith have spent away from the intensity and scrutiny of the international playing circuit should hold them – and their team – in good stead once they have re-adapted to top-level competition.

"I've got a huge amount of respect now for guys that play all three forms of the game, which I probably didn’t have that same level in the past," Finch said.

"I would (see) guys who would come off an Ashes series and then come into the one-dayers, and they were fatigued and a bit grumpy at times because they were so tired, and I was coming in fresh all the time.

"So I'd think 'geez, what's going on with these guys – you're playing for Australia again, how can you not be up and about?

"But it's just physically impossible to be 'on' for that amount of time without any down time, without time to go home and lay on the couch and spend time with your family."

Warner and Smith will formally return to the national fold tomorrow when the World Cup squad begins training in Brisbane in preparation for their defence of the quadrennial trophy.

Finch has revealed he plans to use the week-long Brisbane campaign, which includes three unofficial ODIs against New Zealand, to discuss in detail his leadership plans with Smith and Warner who will don Australia colours for the first time since their 12-month suspensions.

The new ODI skipper foreshadowed no issues with the former leadership team re-integrating with an outfit that found a stunning return to form earlier this year, and admitted to being excited about the insights the duo might bring for his own captaincy.

"I’ve put a lot of thought into it, with him (Smith) and Davey (Warner)," Finch said yesterday.

"I’ve been friends with them for a long time so there’s definitely going to be no issues or anything like that.

"I’ll certainly lean on them for tactics and advice out on the field, like I do with a lot of players … because they’ve both captained a lot of cricket and they’re both very good captains on the field.

"That would be really naïve of me not to use them."

Given that he came to the ODI leadership as a result of Smith's ineligibility, Finch will give priority to sounding out the former skipper over the coming week.

"We’re (in Brisbane) for eight days, … so there’ll be plenty of time to sit down for a coffee or over dinner to talk about my plan for him and how I want to use him as a resource for myself and the senior players as well," Finch said.

"I’ve got no doubt he’ll be open-minded with everything."

Having opened the ODI batting with a series of partners – Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Alex Carey and Usman Khawaja – in the wake of the Cape Town incident, Finch is also looking forward to resuming his union with long-time top-order foil, Warner.

He believes the understanding the pair developed on the 48 occasions across four years that they opened together in the 50-over format will prove hugely valuable if, as expected, they are re-united at the head of the order in the World Cup.

"We’ve had some great partnerships over the years and we’ve known each other for 16-17 years so we’re great friends," Finch said of his on-field rapport with Warner.

"To bat with someone that you’re comfortable with off the field is just as important as on the field because you get to know people’s moods and mannerisms and what they’re thinking - not even by talking, but just sensing it and being with them.

"Having those really close bonds out in the middle is really important because you can sense someone building up to a big shot or … taking an unnecessary risk.

"He can sense when I’m doing that, so it’s a chance to calm me down, and vice versa.

"And it’s the same with Usman (Khawaja) and Steve (Smith) and Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) – the more you play together, the more the bonds grow."

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, Jhye 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