David Warner set to go on paternity leave

It’s been a dream summer for Warner in whites having scored four centuries, including a career-best 253, in six Tests against New Zealand and the West Indies. He’s scored 818 runs in all at an average of 90.88 and a strike-rate of 91.80, which is more than acceptable for the ODI format. There had even been talk of Warner leading the side against India after there were talks of skipper Steven Smith taking a break to recover from his knee and hip niggles.

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With Warner not around, Australia will have to find a partner for the equally fiery Aaron Finch. Shaun Marsh, who in a way experienced a rebirth of sorts in the Test format this Australian summer, could be the front-runner to take over. Australia already have Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, the in-form Matthew Wade and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to buoy the batting line-up.

The bowling though doesn’t carry the usually intimidating feel of an Australian attack, with Mitchell Johnson having retired and Mitchell Starc out with injury.

But James Faulkner and Josh Hazlewood have slotted in wonderfully well into the mix, with the former having finished the World Cup final as the man-of-the-match. Kane Richardson has already got a taste of international cricket in the past while Western Australia’s left-arm pacer Joel Paris makes up the all-seam attack.

Former India greats like VVS Laxman and Kapil Dev have expressed their views on the Australian team, citing it as not being as strong as it was while winning the World Cup crown last year, especially with Johnson and former captain Michael Clarke having hung up their boots. Warner’s break will only further accentuate their belief.

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team will get into the groove for the five-match ODI series that will be followed by three international T20s in the build-up to the World T20 in March by taking on Western Australian XI at the WACA for two practice-matches on Friday and Saturday.

While the first match tomorrow is slated to be a T20 affair, the second match scheduled the day after will be a 50-over warm-up game against the same opposition.

It will certainly not be the first team of Western Australia which is better known as Perth Scorchers, which will be playing in the warm-up games. It will be a second string squad that will take on the Indians.

The Scorchers are currently playing in the Big Bash League and none of their first team players will be available for the match. In fact, today they played a BBL match against Sydney Thunders.