David Warner Withdrawn From T20Is vs India; Aaron Hardie Named Replacement
David Warner scored 535 runs in World Cup 2023 [X.com]
Australian opener David Warner has been withdrawn from the upcoming five-match T20I series against India starting November 23 by Cricket Australia (CA).
Warner, who scored the most runs for the World Cup 2023 winner (535), is being replaced by all-rounder Aaron Hardie. Warner joins the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green, who were already rested from the T20I series.
Hardie, 24, made his T20I debut against South Africa in August, featuring in two matches, scoring 23 runs combined. In a statement, CA confirmed Warner's withdrawal.
"Selectors decided Warner would return home on the back of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign,"
Warner will now focus on Australia's upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan starting December 13, which will be the last for the Baggy Green, with the opener pinpointing the Sydney match as his last.
Fast bowler Kane Richardson has also been called up for Spencer Johnson, who is currently dealing with a hamstring injury.
The upcoming T20I series in India will act as a buildup to next year's ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America.
Apart from the Indian series, Australia have a three-match T20I series planned against West Indies and New Zealand, respectively before the T20 WC starts.
Interestingly, Australia will be coached by Andre Borovec, who takes over head coaching duties from Andrew McDonald, who has been given much-needed rest, ahead of a jam-packed summer.
Wicket-keeper batter Matthew Wade will lead the one-time T20I World Cup winners, who play the first T20I against India on Thursday (Nov 23).
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